50 Jamaican Patois Words and Phrases

Welcome to the vibrant, rhythmic language of Jamaica – Patois. In this guide, we’ll traverse through 50 common Jamaican Patois words and phrases that are as colorful as the island’s rich culture and history. These jamaican expression, infused with the island’s unique spirit, offer more than just a linguistic exploration.

They provide a glimpse into the heart of the island, its people, and their captivating way of life. Prepare yourself to embark on a linguistic journey that’s as spicy and flavorful as a pot of Jamaican jerk chicken. Whether you’re a language enthusiast or preparing for a trip to this Caribbean paradise, this guide will have you chatting like a local in no time.

Get ready to delve into the colorful world of Patois, where every word is a melody, and every phrase is a testament to the island’s remarkable cultural tapestry. We’re going to embolden your conversations with a dash of reggae vibes, Jamaican warmth, and Patois charm! Let’s dive in, exploring some Jamaican sayings, “mek wi begin!”

What is Jamaican Patois?

Jamaican Patois, also known as Patwa, Creole, Jamaican Creole or Jamaican slang is a language primarily spoken in Jamaica and among the Jamaican diaspora. It’s much more than just “broken English,” as some may describe it. Jamaican Patois is an English-based Creole language with West African influences. It combines elements from colonial languages like English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with Akan, a language spoken in Ghana and the Ivory Coast.  If you’re researching Jamaican Patois for school or a cultural project and need to reference your work properly, you might find yourself thinking, “How do I cite my source for me?”, especially when working with culturally rich but informally documented topics like this one. Thankfully, there are tools out there that can help make citations easier and more accurate, especially when dealing with informal or regional language topics. 

Patois, as a unique symbol of Jamaican culture, is gaining recognition worldwide. Custom keychains are an excellent way to spread this culture; printing classic Patois phrases or words on them allows for wider dissemination and showcases the charm of Jamaican culture.

Do you want to discover the must-eat foods in Ghana? Explore this article to learn more.

Patois is not a written language or Jamaica’s official language. It is primarily used in informal settings like everyday conversations, music, and literature to capture the vibrant and unique culture of Jamaica. Despite its widespread use, it is not officially recognized, and English remains the official language of Jamaica. But you’ll hear it everywhere in Jamaica! Let’s dive into the 20 jamaican patois phrases and words (and their translations) you must learn before visiting the island!

50 Jamaican Patois Words and Phrases

1. Wah gwaan – What’s going on? ( casual greeting)
2. Everyting criss – Everything is okay
3. Irie – Cool/okay/nice
4. Mi love yuh – I love you
5. Nyam – To eat
6. Earthstrong – Birthday (typically used by men to wish male friends a happy birthday)
7. Broughtupsy – Manners
8. Butu – Someone who lacks manners
9. Stush – Someone who is not humble or down to earth
10. Bangarang – Trouble or a disturbance
11. Zimmi – Do you understand me? (often used to punctuate discussions, similar to “you know?” in English)
12. Mi soon come – I’ll be right back
13. Jamrock/Jamdown/Yard – Jamaica
14. Yardie/Yard Man – a Jamaican person
15. Pickney – a kid or child
16. Mawga – small/scrawny
17. Plekkeh-plekkeh/plakka-plakka – Soggy
18. Chakka-chakka – Messy/disorganized
19. Suss – Gossip/rumors
20. Pretty dunce – a dumb woman
21. Foo-fool – Foolish
22. Bredren – a male Jamaican friend
23. Sistren – a female friend
24. Mampy – an obese person
25. Maa-Ma Man – a lazy man/man who is stingy in relationships
26. Joe Grind – a woman’s male sidepiece
27. Gyalis – a ladies man
28. Zutupeng – an insult reserved for people, typically men, that you dislike
29. Dry land tourist – a Jamaican person who pretends to be cultured
30. Wash belly – the youngest child in a family
31. Dash weh – to throw something away
32. Pyaaw-Pyaaw – Weak or unappealing
33. Fenke-fenke – Weak
34. Tallawah – Brave/strong
35. Mi deh yah – I am here
36. Mi nuh know – I don’t know
37. Mi feel irie – I feel good
38. Mi a guh – I will go
39. Mi nuh care – I don’t care
40. Mi tired – I’m tired
41. Mi soon reach – I’ll be there soon
42. Mi hungry – I’m hungry
43. Mi nah – I’m not
44. Mi madda – My mother
45. Mi mout nuh licence wid church – My mouth is not licensed with a church
46. Brawta – Getting something extra
47. Pree – to think about something/to watch something closely
48. From mi eye de a mi knee – Since I was a kid
49. Weh yuh deh – Where are you?
50. Likkle more – See you later
51. Deh pon di beach – I’m at the beach
52. Dead wid Laugh – Dead wid laugh means “I’m laughing really hard”

Learn more words and phrases

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg regarding Patois words and phrases. As you can see, they range from serious to funny to straight-up insults! I heard many of these phrases when I visited the island in July of 2023, which made me want to learn even more.

I hope this guide helps you the next time you visit Jamaica. And if you speak Jamaican Patois, please drop some more phrases and their translations in the comments below!