Patois Slang

Patois slang is a colorful part of Jamaican communication, featuring expressions such as “wah gwaan,” “irie,” “big up,” and “likkle more.” These words and phrases appear in everyday conversations, reggae music, dancehall lyrics, and social media posts. If you have heard Jamaican expressions but are unsure what they mean, learning a few common terms can help you understand the language and its cultural context.

Jamaican Patois, also written as Patwa, is more than informal slang. It is a language with its own grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and expressive traditions. In this guide, you will discover more than 60 Jamaican Patois words and expressions, their English meanings, example sentences, and tips for understanding when they are appropriate to use.

Patois Slang: 60+ Jamaican Words, Meanings & Examples

What Is Patois Slang?

Patois slang usually refers to informal words, phrases, and expressions associated with Jamaican Patois, also known as Jamaican Creole or Patwa. The language developed through historical contact between English and West African languages, alongside influences from other linguistic and cultural traditions. It has a distinctive structure and should not be treated simply as English pronounced differently. <sup>Source: ProperSlang</sup>

Jamaican Patois is widely used in everyday speech and has a strong presence in music, storytelling, comedy, and online conversations. Some expressions are friendly and encouraging, while others are vulgar or insulting. Their meanings can also depend on tone, relationships, and the situation in which they are spoken.

For example, “wah gwaan?” is a familiar informal greeting meaning something like “What’s going on?” or “What’s up?” “Irie” communicates a positive feeling, while “big up” expresses praise or respect. Understanding these phrases gives you a useful introduction to Jamaican speech and culture.

Common Jamaican Patois Slang Words and Meanings

The following table introduces 60 Jamaican Patois words and expressions. Spellings can vary because people often write Patois informally according to pronunciation. Meanings may also change with context.

Patois word or phrase	English meaning	Example
1. Wah gwaan?	What’s going on? / What’s up?	“Wah gwaan, mi fren?” — What’s up, my friend?
2. Mi deh yah	I’m here; I’m doing okay	“Mi deh yah, everyting good.” — I’m doing okay; everything is good.
3. Irie	Good, peaceful, or positive	“Everyting irie.” — Everything is good.
4. Big up	Show respect, praise, or congratulate	“Big up yuhself!” — Respect to you!
5. Likkle more	See you later	“Mi a go now. Likkle more!” — I’m leaving now. See you later!
6. Likkle	Little or small	“Gimme a likkle time.” — Give me a little time.
7. Nuff	A lot or plenty	“Nuff people deh deh.” — Lots of people are there.
8. Nyam	Eat or consume food	“Time fi nyam.” — It’s time to eat.
9. Bredren	Male friend, brother, or close companion	“A mi bredren dat.” — That’s my friend.
10. Sistren	Sister or female friend	“Mi sistren come visit.” — My friend came to visit.
11. Gyal	Girl or young woman	“Di gyal dem a dance.” — The girls are dancing.
12. Yute	Youth or young person	“Di yute dem a play.” — The young people are playing.
13. Pickney	Child or children	“Di pickney dem deh outside.” — The children are outside.
14. Yow	Hey; an informal greeting or attention-getter	“Yow, come yah!” — Hey, come here!
15. Seen	Understood; got it	“Meet me at six, seen?” — Meet me at six, understood?
16. Nuh	No, not, or don’t, depending on context	“Mi nuh know.” — I don’t know.
17. Mi	I or me	“Mi ready.” — I’m ready.
18. Yuh	You or your, depending on context	“Weh yuh deh?” — Where are you?
19. Dem	They or them; can also mark a plural noun	“Di pickney dem.” — The children.
20. Deh	Be at, be located, or be present in common expressions	“Mi deh yah.” — I’m here.
21. Fi	For, to, or a marker of purpose or possession, depending on context	“Dis a fi yuh.” — This is for you.
22. A weh?	Where?	“A weh yuh deh?” — Where are you?
23. Soon come	I’ll be back or arrive later; not necessarily immediately	“Mi soon come.” — I’ll be back later.
24. Tek time	Take your time; go slowly	“Tek time, nuh rush.” — Take your time; don’t rush.
25. Nuh problem	No problem	“Tank yuh!” “Nuh problem.” — Thank you! No problem.
26. Bless up	A positive wish, greeting, or farewell	“Bless up, mi fren.” — Take care, my friend.
27. Gwaan	Go on, continue, or proceed, depending on context	“Gwaan wid di work.” — Continue with the work.
28. Gwaan easy	Take it easy or take care	“Mi a leave now. Gwaan easy.” — I’m leaving now. Take care.
29. Mash up	Break, damage, ruin, or overwhelm	“Di phone mash up.” — The phone is broken.
30. Cotch	Relax, rest, or hang out in some Jamaican usage	“Wi a cotch yah.” — We’re relaxing here.
31. Badmind	Jealous, envious, or resentful toward another person’s success	“Nuh badmind nobody.” — Don’t be jealous of anyone.
32. Facety	Cheeky, rude, or disrespectfully bold	“Nuh get facety.” — Don’t be cheeky.
33. Rude bwoy	A tough, rebellious, or streetwise male figure; meaning varies by context	“Di rude bwoy deh a dance.” — The tough guy is dancing.
34. Gyalis	A man known for attracting or pursuing multiple women	“Him have a gyalis reputation.” — He has a reputation as a womanizer.
35. Likkle bit	A little or a small amount	“Wait likkle bit.” — Wait a little.
36. Nuh badda	Don’t bother; don’t trouble yourself	“Nuh badda wid dat.” — Don’t bother with that.
37. Mi deh pon it	I’m working on it or dealing with it	“Di task nearly done; mi deh pon it.” — The task is nearly done; I’m working on it.
38. A so it go	That’s how it goes	“Sometimes yuh win, sometimes yuh lose. A so it go.” — Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.
39. A lie	That’s a lie or that’s not true	“A lie yuh a tell!” — You’re telling a lie!
40. Nuh true?	Isn’t that right? / Isn’t it true?	“Di party did nice, nuh true?” — The party was nice, wasn’t it?
41. Pree	Look at, observe, pay attention to, or check out	“Pree di new car.” — Check out the new car.
42. Link up	Meet or get together	“Wi ago link up later.” — We’re going to meet later.
43. Buss a move	Make a move or start dancing in some contexts	“Di DJ play di song and everybody buss a move.” — The DJ played the song and everyone started dancing.
44. Forward	Come forward or return; in music, a call for a song to be replayed	“Di crowd shout, ‘Forward!’” — The crowd called for the song to be played again.
45. Shell it	Do something exceptionally well or bring high energy, especially in performance contexts	“Di dancer shell it.” — The dancer did an amazing job.
46. Vex	Angry or annoyed	“Mi vex bout dat.” — I’m angry about that.
47. Hype	Excitement, publicity, or showing off, depending on context	“Too much hype over one song.” — Too much excitement over one song.
48. Boasy	Proud, boastful, or showing off	“Him a act boasy.” — He’s showing off.
49. Tun up	Turn up the energy or make a celebration more lively	“Di party tun up.” — The party got lively.
50. Nice up	Make something more enjoyable or lively	“Nice up di place!” — Make the place more lively!
51. Chune	Tune or song, especially in music-related usage	“Dat a mi favourite chune.” — That’s my favorite song.
52. Dub	A music mix or version associated with Jamaican music traditions; meaning depends on context	“Di selector play a dub.” — The selector played a dub version.
53. Ital	Natural, pure, or associated with Rastafari dietary and lifestyle practices	“Him prefer ital food.” — He prefers Ital food.
54. Yard	Home, yard, or home territory; context matters	“Mi a go a yard.” — I’m going home.
55. Out a road	Out and about or away from home	“Him out a road.” — He’s out and about.
56. Tek weh	Take away or remove	“Tek weh di plate.” — Take away the plate.
57. Gimme	Give me; an informal spoken form	“Gimme a likkle water.” — Give me a little water.
58. Brawta	Something extra added as a bonus or a little additional treat	“Di shopkeeper gi mi a brawta.” — The shopkeeper gave me something extra.
59. Bomboclaat / Bumboclaat	A strong Jamaican expletive used to express anger, shock, or other intense emotions	“Bomboclaat!” — A strong exclamation; exact force depends on context.
60. Raatid	An exclamation of surprise, frustration, or emphasis	“Raatid! Yuh reach already?” — Wow! You’ve arrived already?

These examples are illustrative rather than a universal script for how every Jamaican speaker talks. For more word-by-word references, consult a Jamaican Patois dictionary such as Jamaican Patois Dictionary or JamaicanPatwah.

Jamaican Patois Greetings and Everyday Expressions

Greetings are one of the easiest places to start learning Patois. A short expression can communicate friendliness, acknowledgment, or a wish for someone to be well.

“Wah Gwaan?” — What’s Up?

“Wah gwaan?” is a widely recognized informal Jamaican greeting. It can mean “What’s going on?”, “What’s up?”, or “How are things?” depending on the conversation.

Example:

Person A: “Wah gwaan?”
Person B: “Mi deh yah.”

The reply “Mi deh yah” literally suggests being here and is often used to communicate that someone is present or doing okay.

“Big Up” — Respect or Praise

“Big up” is used to recognize, congratulate, or show appreciation for a person or group. It is also strongly associated with Jamaican music culture, including dancehall and sound-system traditions.

Example: “Big up everybody who help wid di event.”

Meaning: Respect to everyone who helped with the event.

“Likkle More” — See You Later

“Likkle more” is a casual farewell that means “See you later.” It is often used when parting from friends or acquaintances.

Example: “Mi haffi go now. Likkle more!”

Meaning: I have to leave now. See you later!

“Soon Come” I’ll Be Back Later

“Soon come” is an expression used to indicate that someone will return or arrive later. It does not always mean the person will appear immediately, so context is important.

Example: “Mi soon come; mi just a run one errand.”

Meaning: I’ll be back later; I’m just running an errand.

Patois Slang for Friends, Family, and Relationships

Jamaican expressions can communicate closeness, respect, teasing, and social identity. The relationship between speakers often determines whether a phrase sounds warm, playful, or disrespectful.

Bredren: A male friend, brother, or close companion.
Sistren: A sister or female friend.
Gyal: Girl or young woman.
Yute: A young person or youth.
Pickney: A child or children.
Badmind: A person or attitude associated with jealousy or resentment.
Gyalis: A man known for pursuing or attracting multiple women.
Rude bwoy: A phrase with different cultural meanings, including a tough or rebellious male figure.

For example, “A mi bredren dat” can mean “That’s my friend.” By contrast, calling someone “badmind” suggests jealousy or resentment and may create tension if said directly to them.

Not every term is appropriate for every relationship. Some expressions are affectionate among friends but can sound rude or overly familiar when used with strangers.

Jamaican Patois Words for Feelings and Reactions

Patois has plenty of expressions for describing how someone feels or reacting to a situation.

Word or expression	Meaning	Example
Irie	Good, peaceful, or positive	“Mi feel irie today.” — I feel good today.
Vex	Angry or annoyed	“She vex bout di delay.” — She’s annoyed about the delay.
Badmind	Jealous or envious	“Nuh be badmind.” — Don’t be jealous.
Boasy	Boastful or showing off	“Him sound boasy.” — He sounds boastful.
Hype	Excitement or exaggerated attention	“Di event have nuff hype.” — The event has a lot of buzz.
Raatid	An emphatic reaction	“Raatid, dat big!” — Wow, that’s big!
Mash up	Ruined, broken, or overwhelmed	“Rain mash up di plan.” — Rain ruined the plan.
Shell it	Perform impressively or bring strong energy	“Di singer shell it.” — The singer did an amazing job.

As with other languages, the exact meaning can depend on how the phrase is delivered. A word can be playful among close friends but confrontational in an argument.

Funny and Popular Jamaican Patois Expressions

Some Patois expressions are especially memorable because they are energetic, rhythmic, or frequently heard in music and popular culture.

“Nuh Problem”

This means “No problem” and is a simple way to respond to thanks or reassure someone.

Example: “Tank yuh fi di help.” “Nuh problem.”

Translation: “Thanks for the help.” “No problem.”

“Tek Time”

“Tek time” means to take your time, slow down, or be patient.

Example: “Tek time wid di work; yuh nuh haffi rush.”

Translation: Take your time with the work; you don’t have to rush.

“Pree”

“Pree” can mean to observe, pay attention to, or check something out.

Example: “Pree di view from yah.”

Translation: Check out the view from here.

“Cotch”

In some Jamaican contexts, “cotch” means to relax, sit down, or hang out.

Example: “Wi a cotch outside till di rain stop.”

Translation: We’re hanging out outside until the rain stops.

“Brawta”

“Brawta” refers to something extra, often a little bonus or additional treat. It is a useful word to recognize in everyday exchanges.

Example: “Mi get a likkle brawta wid mi purchase.”

Translation: I got a little extra with my purchase.

Jamaican Patois Slang Words to Use With Caution

Not every expression in a slang guide is suitable for everyday use. Some Jamaican words are vulgar, insulting, or connected to particular cultural and social contexts.

Bomboclaat or Bumboclaat

This is a strong Jamaican expletive. Depending on the speaker and situation, it can express anger, shock, frustration, or emphasis. It is not a neutral greeting, and using it casually may offend people.

Raatid

“Raatid” can be an emphatic exclamation of surprise, annoyance, or intensity. Its tone varies, but it can be quite forceful in some situations.

Badmind

Calling someone “badmind” suggests they are jealous, envious, or resentful of another person’s success. It can sound accusatory, so it is important to understand the relationship and context.

Rude Bwoy

“Rude bwoy” has historical and cultural associations that extend beyond a simple insult. Its meaning can vary across Jamaican music, social history, and contemporary conversation.

A respectful rule: Learn what an expression means before using it. Avoid strong profanity in formal settings, and do not assume that a word heard in a song is appropriate to repeat in every conversation.

How to Learn and Understand Patois Slang

Learning Patois is easier when you pay attention to complete expressions rather than memorizing isolated words.

Listen to native speakers. Interviews, conversations, and Jamaican cultural programming can help you hear rhythm, pronunciation, and tone.
Study everyday phrases first. Begin with greetings such as “Wah gwaan?”, replies such as “Mi deh yah,” and farewells such as “Likkle more.”
Use reliable dictionaries. Compare meanings, examples, and spelling variations rather than relying on a single social media post.
Learn the grammar as well as the vocabulary. Patois has its own patterns; changing English spelling alone will not produce natural Jamaican speech.
Understand cultural context. Music, regional variation, age, relationships, and the situation can all affect how an expression is understood.
Be careful with profanity. Strong words may be used differently by close friends, performers, or speakers in heated situations.

It is also helpful to remember that Jamaican Patois is not spoken identically by everyone. Individuals and communities may use different spellings, pronunciations, and expressions.

Conclusion

Patois slang offers a useful introduction to Jamaican expressions, from friendly greetings like “wah gwaan” and “big up” to everyday phrases such as “likkle more,” “tek time,” and “nuh problem.” These expressions can help you recognize familiar words in conversations, reggae, dancehall, and online content.

However, Jamaican Patois is much more than slang. It is a language with its own structure, history, and cultural significance. Learning the meaning and context of each expression is the best way to appreciate it respectfully. Start with everyday greetings, listen to Jamaican speakers, and remember that pronunciation, spelling, and usage can vary from person to person.

FAQs

1. What does Patois slang mean?

Patois slang usually refers to informal Jamaican words and expressions used in everyday speech, music, and social settings. Jamaican Patois itself is a language, not simply a collection of slang words.

2. What does “wah gwaan” mean in Jamaican Patois?

“Wah gwaan?” is an informal greeting meaning “What’s going on?”, “What’s up?”, or “How are things?” It is one of the best-known Jamaican expressions.

3. What does “irie” mean?

“Irie” expresses a positive feeling, such as being good, peaceful, or content. It is strongly associated with Jamaican culture and is often used to describe a pleasant mood or situation.

4. What does “big up” mean in Jamaica?

“Big up” means to show respect, praise someone, or give recognition. For example, “Big up to everyone who helped” is a way of acknowledging and appreciating their contribution.

5. What does “mi deh yah” mean?

“Mi deh yah” can mean “I’m here” or “I’m doing okay,” depending on context. It is commonly used as a response to a greeting such as “Wah gwaan?”

6. What does “likkle more” mean?

“Likkle more” is a casual way to say “See you later.” It is commonly used as a farewell in informal conversation.

7. What does “bomboclaat” mean?

“Bomboclaat,” also spelled “bumboclaat,” is a strong Jamaican expletive. It can express anger, shock, or intense emotion and may be offensive, so it should be understood before being repeated.

8. Is Jamaican Patois the same as Jamaican slang?

No. Jamaican Patois, or Patwa, is a language with its own grammar and vocabulary. Slang is one part of its informal vocabulary, alongside everyday words, expressions, and culturally specific language.

9. How do you say hello in Jamaican Patois?

“Wah gwaan?” is a widely recognized informal greeting similar to “What’s up?” A common response is “Mi deh yah,” which can communicate that you are here or doing okay.

10. Why do Jamaican Patois words have different spellings?

Patois is often written informally, and people may represent pronunciation in different ways. For instance, “bomboclaat” and “bumboclaat” are spelling variants. A dictionary or trusted speaker can help explain common variations and their meanings.

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Ryan Mitchell

Ryan Mitchell is a language enthusiast and writer who explores slang, modern expressions, and everyday language. At nichemeaningslang, he helps readers understand slang meanings, usage, and context in a simple and easy-to-follow way.