JAMAICA WORLDWIDE · LANGUAGE
Speak Patois: Wah Gwaan?
Jamaican Patois (Patwa) is how most Jamaicans speak every day. It grew from English, West African languages, Spanish and more. Learn a few phrases and Jamaica opens up to you.
Start here: five phrases you will hear on day one
| Patois | Say it like | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Wah gwaan? | wah-GWAAN | What’s up? / How are things? The all-purpose greeting. |
| Mi deh yah | mee DEH yah | I’m here / I’m fine. The usual reply to “Wah gwaan?” |
| Respect | ree-SPEK | Hello, thank you, or I hear you. Used everywhere. |
| Likkle more | LIK-el MOH | See you later. |
| Walk good | wok GUD | Take care / safe travels. |
Audio for every phrase, recorded by Colin, is coming soon.
Everyday words
| Patois | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yaad | Home, or Jamaica itself | Mi a go a yaad fi Christmas. (I’m going home to Jamaica for Christmas.) |
| Pickney | Child, children | How di pickney dem? (How are the children?) |
| Nyam | Eat | Come nyam some food. (Come and eat.) |
| Bredda / Sistren | Brother, friend / sister, female friend | Dat a mi bredda. (That’s my friend.) |
| Irie | Good, fine, at peace | Everyting irie. (Everything’s fine.) |
| Ting | Thing | A so di ting set. (That’s how things are.) |
| Nuh badda | Don’t bother / don’t do it | Nuh badda wid dat. (Leave that alone.) |
| Big up | Respect, praise, a shout-out | Big up yuhself! (Well done!) |
| Tek time | Be careful / slow down | Tek time pon di road. (Drive carefully.) |
| Soon come | I’ll be there soon (eventually) | Mi soon come. (Expect me when you see me.) |
How Patois works: three quick rules
- “Mi” does a lot of work. It means I, me and my. Mi hungry (I’m hungry), gi mi (give me), mi house (my house).
- “Dem” makes plurals. Di pickney dem is “the children”. Di car dem is “the cars”.
- “A” marks what is happening now. Mi a go means “I’m going”. Weh yuh a do? means “What are you doing?”
Proverbs with deep roots
- Wi likkle but wi tallawah. We’re small but mighty. Jamaica’s answer to anyone who underestimates it.
- Every mickle mek a muckle. Small things add up. Save a little and it grows.
- One one coco full basket. Step by step, you get there.
- Wah sweet nanny goat a go run him belly. What tastes good now may hurt you later.
- Han’ wash han’. One hand washes the other. We help each other.
A note on respect
Jamaicans love it when visitors try. Start with a greeting, smile, and don’t force an accent. In formal settings such as church, business or with elders, most Jamaicans switch to standard English, and you should too. Knowing when to use Patois is part of speaking it.
Want more?
Join The Beharie Letter and get the free guide 20 Jamaican Phrases Every Visitor Should Know. For the full story behind the language, read Good Luck With That! A Guide to Understanding Jamaicans. The phrasebook Wah Gwaan! is on the way.