Trending Words on Jamaican Patwah

Skinny

Expression use to describe someone or something that is skinny/thin. The literal translation for mawga would be “meagre”.

Patois: How yu get so mawga?
English: How did you get so skinny?

Brethren

Slang for anyone who is a friend or colleague.

(patois) Mi bredren dem an mi ago a party tonite
(english) My friends and I are going to a party tonight

Everything is just great.

Jamaican expression used to state that everything is ok

(patois) ”Sistren, how yu do?” all fruits ripe
(english) "Sister, how are you doing?” everything is just great

many/ a lot

Patois: mi nuh need nuff
English: :I don't need a lot

Be where you will be appreciated and respected.

Literally means," a one-eyed man is king in a blind man's country". It actually means, be where you will be appreciated and respected.

Patois: Wan yai man ah king inna blind man conchry
English: Be where you will be appreciated and respected

good bye

Patois: Andrew: Mi ah about to touch di road now. Purng:Lickkle more den
English: Andrew: I'm about to go now. Purng:Good bye then

Ago

Patois: Him gone five minute aguh
English: He went five minutes ago

We are still winning

Patois: Nuh worry bout dem, ah we still ah win
English: Don't worry about them, we are still winning

General

The highest ranking boss in any activity; the most respected.

Patois: Mi adi don dada, mi run dem yah streets
English: I am the general, I run these streets

good morning

Patois: Gud mawning bredda
English: Good morning brother

Across

Patois: Guh akrass di road
English: Go across the road

Must be

(patois) Yu mussi mad!
(english) You must be mad!