Is French enough to get by in Mauritius?

Yes, French and English are understood everywhere. But a few words of Creole instantly create a warm connection with Mauritians.

How do you say thank you in Mauritian Creole?

« Mersi », quite simply — and « mersi boukou » for thank you very much. Answer « pena problem » (no problem) if someone thanks you.

What does « korek » mean?

It's the all-purpose word: I'm fine, okay, no worries, all good. Answer « korek! » to almost anything and you'll always be on point.

A little Creole phrasebook to chat with locals

« Bonzour » (hello), « mersi » (thank you), « korek » (all good / okay): three words and you're adopted. Mauritian Creole is the language of the heart here — French and English are understood everywhere, but a word of Creole changes everything.

« Ki manier ? » (how are you?) — answer « korek, mersi! ». « Bien bon » (delicious) will melt any table d'hôte cook. « Ti » (small) and « gro » (big) attach to everything: a ti coffee, a ti swim, a ti sega.

And the most important one: « lakaz » (home). When a Mauritian tells you « vinn lakaz » (come to my house), it's a genuine invitation — and probably the best curry of your whole stay.

At the bazaar, pull out « Komie sa ? » (how much is it?) and, if the price stings, a cheerful « tro ser! » (too expensive) with a big smile will kick off the bargaining the proper way. « Mo pe gete » (I'm just looking) will politely free you from an insistent seller, and « donn mwa enn ti pri » (give me a little price) remains the magic formula of the regulars.

Good news on pronunciation: Creole is written the way it sounds, with no silent letters and no traps. One refinement: « ou » is the polite form of "you", « to » the familiar one — start with « ou » with elders and they'll quickly switch you to « to ». Dive in without fear: here, nobody mocks someone who tries, they adopt them.

A little Creole phrasebook to chat with locals

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