Trending Words on Jamaican Patwah

no

nuh sad story

no bad news

Patois: nuh sad story
English: no bad news

There

Generic patois term that has a variety of meaning depending on the context in which it is used. It can mean any the following; the, there or that

Patois: Mi neva si it deh
English: I didn’t see it there

to

To (used for expressing direction or motion or direction toward something)

Patois: Mi realli waah dem fi know seh mi deh here
English: I want them to know that I am here

Said

Patois: Who seh dat?
English: Who said that?

Gossip

to talk about someone behind their back

Patois: Mi hear seh yuh did a suss bout mi
English: I heard that you were gossiping about me

Hi or Hello

To say hi or hello to someone

Patois: Wah mek yuh neva hail up Robert wen yuh pass him?
English: Why didn’t you say hi to Robert when you passed him?

Linger

Patois: Doah linga ah di doorway
English: Don't linger at the doorway

are

a reference to two or more things

Patois: Dem a killas
English: They are killers

Lucky

Patois: Yuh luddy
English: You’re lucky

Bless up is used in Jamaica to mean, have a nice day, have a good day or have a blessed day.

Patois: Mi soon farwud, bless up.
English: I will be back soon, have a nice day.

Middle

Patois: Mi cum by inna di miggle addi day but mi neva si yuh
English: I came by in the middle of the day but I didn’t see you

boy

A young male

Patois: Cum yah bwoy!
English: Come here boy!