-
- “Gyalis „
- English Translation: Player
- Definition Slang term for a male who is skilled at seducing women, normally by tricking them into thinking they are the love his life, when in reality, only sexual favours are desired from these women. He manages relationships with multiple women, normally with each woman being oblivious that there are other women in his life. The literal translation for gallis is “girl-list”
-
Example Sentences
(Patois) Mi a gyalis, mi hav different gyal everyweh mi guh
(English) I’m a player, I have a different girl everywhere I go
-
- “Gyal Clown „
- English Translation: Whipped
- Definition A male who will do anything (even if it involves making himself look like a complete idiot) in order to please a female. Examples of this include spending large sums of money on the female’s birthday, Christmas or dinner (even if he can’t afford it), dissing friends because he wants to spend more time with the female or reprioritizing of the female over family, friends, food, water and air. In short, the male world blindly revolves around the female. The literal translation is “girl clown”.
-
Example Sentences
(Patois) Him a gyal clown, him cyaah cum outta door unless him get permission from him gyal
(English) He’s whipped, he can’t come outside unless he gets permission from is girl
-
- “At steppa „
- English Translation: Hot stepper / Thug
- Definition To be a notorious thug; a criminal; someone who has escape from jail.
-
Example Sentences
(Patois) Di at steppa dem deh a roam di street tonite
(English) The thugs are roaming the street tonight
-
- “Shine eye gal „
- English Translation: Gold digger
-
Definition
Slang expression used to refer to a woman who is involved in a relationship with a man based solely on the perceive financial benefits of the man. Women of this nature tend to spend her partners money on lavish items such as name brand clothing, fancy jewelry and eating only the most expensive foods.
This woman is loyal only to the deepest pockets so once her current partner goes broke she'll go for another man that is rich or just plain financially stable. -
Example Sentences
(Patois) Mi nah seh shi a shine eye gyal, but shi nah guh talk to if yuh bruk
(English) I’m not saying she is a gold digger, but she’s not going to talk to you if you’re broke
-
- “Tun up „
- English Translation: Great/wonderful
- Definition Slang expression use to describe something that is wonderful, hype, exciting, spectacular or a great deal of fun. The literal translation of “tun up” is “turned up”.
-
Example Sentences
(Patois) Dream Weekend did tun up laas year
(English) Dream Weekend was turnt up last year
-
- “Buss a blank „
- English Translation: Fire a blank
- Definition Slang expression for pointing one’s finger in the shape of a gun and using one’s mouth to mimic the sound made when a shot is fired from a gun. This action is usually done when one is in agreement with something thing that was said.
-
Example Sentences
(Patois) Buss a blank if yuh agree seh man nuh fi a mind dem pickney
(English) Fire a blank if you agree that men should take care of their kids.
- Learn correct word pronunciation
- Understand grammar and structure
- Handy everyday phrases
-
- “Shell dung „
- English Translation: Take by storm
- Definition Slang expression for doing something fantastic or to suddenly be very successful in a particular place or with a particular group of people.
-
Example Sentences
(Patois) Di dj shell dung di paati laas night
(English) The dj took the party by storm last night
-
- “Gaza Mi Seh „
- Definition Slang expression used to state that you support Vybz Kartel (a popular Jamaican entertainer) and his crew from the Portmore Empire(nicknamed Gaza). The literal translation is “Gaza I say”
-
Example Sentences
(Patois) Gaza mi seh till mi dead
(English) I support the Portmore Empire until I die
-
- “Selectah „
- English Translation: D.J.
- Definition Slang expression for a disc jockey; a person who plays recorded music for an audience.
-
Example Sentences
(Patois) Tell di selectah fi play dis chune
(English) Tell the dj to play this song
-
- “Big chune „
- English Translation: Great Song / Hit Song
- Definition Slang expression used to refer to a hit song or a song of spectacular quality.
-
Example Sentences
(Patois) Mi luv “Redemption song”, a big chune dat
(English) I love “Redemption song”, it’s a great song
-
- “Touch di road „
- English Translation: Going out
- Definition Slang expression use to state that one is leaving or going out somewhere
-
Example Sentences
(Patois) Mi a guh touch di road likkle more
(English) I’m going out later
-
- “Gaza „
- Definition Slang expression originally used to describe a southern city in Jamaica called Portmore (hometown of Jamaican DJ Vybz Kartel). Nowadays is used to refer to a crew/movement started by Vybz Kartel which featured popular Jamaican entertainers such as Popcaan and Tommy Lee.
-
Example Sentences
(Patois) Mi a guh dung a gaza
(English) I’m going down to Portmore
Beginner's Guide to Speaking Jamaican Patois
Looking for a quick and easy way to learn Jamaican Patois? Our Beginner's Guide has everything you need to get started;
Get Your Copy
