don't
"Nuh" is a commonly used word that can serve different purposes depending on how it's used in a sentence. Most often, it functions as a negative marker, similar to "not" in English, for example, "Mi nuh know" means "I don’t know." It can also be used to seek agreement or confirmation, similar to saying "right?" or "isn’t it?" in English. For example, "Nice vibes, nuh?" means "Nice vibes, right?" The tone and context determine whether "nuh" is being used to negate something or to add emphasis or a conversational nudge. It's a simple yet essential word in everyday Jamaican speech.
Patois: Wi nuh kno wen a wi time
English: We don't know when our time is.
Ever texted a Jamaican friend and felt puzzled by the words and shortcuts they use? Jamaican texting slang is a mix of Patois with clever, punchy phrases that are as vibrant as the culture itself.
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Used to negate a statement or indicate absence.
Patois: Mi nuh know him.
English: I do not know him.
All fruits ripe , Babylon , Backside , Bad like yaz ,
hasn't
Patois: Him nuh si wi inna years
English: He hasn't seen us in years
haven't
Patois: Yuh nuh pay yet
English: You haven't paid
don't
Patois: Nuh cum yah
English: Don't come here.
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