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Common Patois Phrases in Jamaica?
Here’s What We Really Say!

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Jamaican Market Smiles by the SeaA warm Jamaican Greeting | Patois Phrases In Jamaica

“Wha gwaan?”

Or, as you might also hear it as: “Wha a gwaan?” Or even,  “Wha a galang?”

If you spend any amount of time here, chances are you'll hear one of these patois phrases in Jamaica fairly quickly. They are essentially asking, “What's going on?” or, more casually, “What's up?”  And yes, I use them all the time without giving it a second thought.

But learning Jamaican Patois is about more than memorising a few colourful expressions;  the Context matters.

I've heard visitors use perfectly legitimate Jamaican phrases in situations where they just don't quite fit, and it can come across a little awkward.

So rather than give you 100 expressions you'll probably never use, let me share some of the patois phrases in Jamaica you're actually likely to hear, what they mean and, importantly, when we use them.

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First, Is It Patois, Patwa or Jamaican?

patois_phrases_in_jamaica_ms_ena_wellesleyWellesley And Ms Ena | Patois Phrases In Jamaica

You'll hear all three.

English is our official language, but Jamaican - commonly called Patois or Patwa - is spoken extensively in everyday life. It developed over centuries, with strong African and English influences along with other languages that formed part of Jamaica's history.

And don't become too concerned if you see the same phrase spelled differently.

For example, you may see:

Wha gwaan?
Wah gwaan?
Wha' gwaan?

You're dealing with a language that, in everyday use, has often been written according to how people hear and pronounce it.

More important than spelling every expression exactly the same way is understanding what the speaker actually means.

Common Patois Phrases In Jamaica You'll Hear

common_jamaican_sayings_patois_phrases_in_jamaica_wellesley_coretta_tomlinsonCommon Patois Phrases In Jamaica


      Jamaican Patois Greetings 

  1. Wha gwaan? / Wha a gwaan?
    Meaning: What's going on? / What's up?
    This is easily one of our best-known greetings. You might walk up to a friend and simply say: “Wha gwaan?” It isn't necessarily a request for a detailed report; Very often, it simply means hello.

  2. Weh yuh seh?
    Meaning: What are you saying? / What's up?
    Again, don't take this too literally. If somebody greets you with “Weh yuh seh?”, they usually aren't asking you to repeat something. It can simply be another casual way of asking how you're doing.

  3. Yuh good?
    Meaning: Are you okay? / Everything alright?
    A simple and very common check-in. Depending on the situation, it could either be a greeting or a genuine question about whether you're alright.

  4. Mi deh yah
    Meaning: I'm here / I'm doing alright.
    This is a common response to a greeting such as Wha gwaan? Sometimes you'll hear: “Mi deh yah, yuh nuh.”  It doesn't literally tell you very much, but culturally it can say plenty: I'm here, I'm managing, I'm alright.

  5. Bless up
    Meaning: Greetings / respect / good wishes.
    You may hear this when people meet, leave or simply acknowledge each other.

  6. Respect
    Meaning: Thank you / appreciation / acknowledgement. A Jamaican may simply say:  “Respect.” It can mean thanks, appreciation or simply recognition of what you said or did.

    Saying Goodbye Jamaican Style

  7. Likkle more
    Meaning: See you later. This is one of my favourites because it doesn't sound as final as goodbye.  “Likkle more.” In other words, we'll catch up again later.

  8. Walk good
    Meaning: Take care / travel safely.  If somebody tells you “Walk good”, they aren't necessarily telling you to improve your walking😁!  It's a warm way of saying goodbye and wishing you well on your way.

  9. Mi gone
    Meaning: I'm leaving / I'm off.  Simple, direct and very Jamaican.

    Everyday Patois Phrases in Jamaica

  10. Mi soon come
    Meaning: I'll be back / I'll return shortly.  Now this one needs a little cultural explanation. “Soon” can be flexible. Sometimes mi soon come genuinely means I'll be right back. Other times... well, you might want to get comfortable! The context and the person saying it matter.

  11. Nuh problem
    Meaning: No problem.  Exactly what it sounds like. You'll hear this constantly.

  12. Seen / Zeen
    Meaning: I understand / okay / agreed. If you're explaining something and a Jamaican responds: “Zeen.”  They're essentially saying, I understand, okay or got you.

  13. A suh it go
    Meaning: That's how it goes.  This can express acceptance of a situation, particularly one we can't do much about. Sometimes there is almost a whole philosophy of life packed into those four words.

  14. Tek time
    Meaning: Take your time / be careful / slow down. This can change slightly depending on the situation. Someone might say “Tek time pon di road”, meaning be careful on the road.

  15. Hold on deh
    Meaning: Wait a moment / hold on.  Pretty straightforward.

  16. Come yah
    Meaning: Come here.  You'll hear this everywhere — including from parents to children!

  17. Gwaan
    Meaning: Go on / continue / proceed. Again, the exact meaning depends on context.  “Gwaan!” might mean continue. But “Gwaan from yah!” can be something quite different!  Context, context, context.

    Useful Patois Around Food

  18. Mi hungry
    Meaning: I'm hungry.  One of the easiest phrases to learn — and potentially one of the most useful while you're here.

  19. Mek wi nyam
    Meaning: Let's eat. Nyam means to eat. And if somebody tells you: “Come nyam.” That's usually an invitation worth accepting!

  20. Mi waan...
    Meaning: I want...  For example: “Mi waan one patty.” You'll understand waan very quickly once you start listening to everyday Jamaican conversation.

    Getting Around Jamaica

  21. Weh di ___ deh?
    Meaning: Where is the ___?  For example: “Weh di beach deh?” Where is the beach?

  22. Weh yuh a go?
    Meaning: Where are you going?  You may hear this from a taxi driver trying to determine your destination.

  23. Carry mi go... 
    Meaning: Take me to... For example: “Carry mi go town.”  That means take me into town.

  24. One stop, driver 
    Meaning: Let me off here.  If you're travelling in some forms of public transportation, particularly a route taxi or bus, you may hear passengers use this to indicate they want to get off.

    A Few More Expressions Worth Knowing


  25. Mi nuh know
    Meaning: I don't know.

  26. Big up yuhself
    Meaning: Respect / well done / give yourself credit. Big up is used to show recognition or appreciation.

  27. Everyting criss
    Meaning: Everything is good / everything is alright. Criss can describe something that is good, neat or in excellent condition.

  28. Nuff
    Meaning: Plenty / a lot. Someone can have nuff food, nuff money or nuff things to do. But be careful — calling somebody “nuff” can also suggest that they're overly inquisitive or interfering!

  29. Pickney
    Meaning: Child. “Di pickney dem” means the children.

  30. Cho!
    Now this one is harder to translate because sometimes an expression is more about feeling than vocabulary. “Cho!” can convey annoyance, impatience, disbelief or dismissal. You'll understand it better after hearing a Jamaican use it than from any dictionary definition.

Should Visitors Speak Jamaican Patois?

Certainly — if it comes naturally. But here's where I'd give visitors one little word of advice.

Don't force it.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying Wha gwaan?, Respect, Likkle more or another Jamaican expression you've picked up while you're here, most Jamaicans won't mind at all. But trying to turn every sentence into Patois, exaggerating a Jamaican accent or using expressions without understanding the context can sound awkward very quickly.

I'd much rather you understand what we are saying first.

Is Jamaican Patois Just “Broken English”?

is_patois_broken_english_phrases_in_jamaica

Oh No! And thanks for asking...I was waiting for this question😊

In fact, that description seriously understates what Jamaican is. Our language developed out of Jamaica's history and the interaction of several linguistic influences, particularly African languages and English.  It also has patterns, vocabulary and grammatical structures of its own. 

More importantly, Patois has become an important expression of Jamaican identity and culture.

People such as the late Louise Bennett-Coverley - our beloved Miss Lou (pictured with me below) did tremendous work in helping Jamaicans embrace our language rather than regard it as something to be ashamed of.

patois_phrases_in_jamaica_wellesley_ms_louise_bennettJamaica's Louise Bennett | Wellesley Gayle | Patois Phrases In Jamaica

Just before you go though.. if there's one tip I'd leave you with, it's this: Listen to us Jamaicans.

You'll quickly discover that the same expression can sound different depending on who is speaking, where in Jamaica they're from and what's happening in the conversation; that is part of of the beauty of it

So when next you arrive and somebody greets you with: “Wha a gwaan?” You don't need an elaborate Patois response.  A simple: “Mi deh yah.” will do just fine.

Or you could simply smile and say: “I'm good!”

Trust me, we'll understand you either way.

Regards,
Wellesley

P.S. If you're coming to Jamaica soon, my Packing List for Jamaica is another useful guide to check before you travel — including a few things visitors surprisingly should not pack.

You might like these

References & Works Cited for Patois Phrases In Jamaica

    References

  1. Jamaica Tourist Board. “Jamaican Patois.” Visit Jamaica, Jamaica Tourist Board.
  2. The University of the West Indies. Research material referencing Jamaican vernacular usage, including the customary greeting “Wha' a Gwaan?” UWI.
  3. Jamaican Patwah. “Wah Gwaan.” JamaicanPatwah.com.
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