Trending Words on Jamaican Patwah

no

nuh sad story

no bad news

Patois: nuh sad story
English: no bad news

Oppression

Rastafarian slang for oppression. This is derived from the Rastafarian play on words which is said to remove all the power that negative words such as “oppression” has over ones soul. Oppression is changed to downpression because oppression keeps a man down instead of lifting him up.

Patois: Mi tiad adi downpression, Mi need a change
English: I’m tired of the oppression, I need a change

So

Patois: Wah mek im suh bright, him waah move inna mi house widout permission
English: Why is he so rude, he wanted to move into my house without permission

I Love You

Patois: Mi nuh tink yuh know oomuch mi luv yuh.
English: I don't think you know how much I love you

Talk

To speak or communicate between people.

Patois: Mi nuh taak tu mi fren in ah lang time.
English: I haven't talked to my friend in a long time.

Chamber pot

Patois: Mi cyaah believe seh yuh still a used chimmy inna dis day an age
English: I can’t believe that you’re still using a chamber pot in this day and age