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206 words and phrases

Jamaican Patois dictionary

Every entry has its own page: what it means, how to say it, real example sentences, when to use it and when not to, and the words that go with it.

    Browse by category

    A to Z

    A

    • AIs/are (equating); -ing (progressive marker); it's (focus); to/at
    • A suh it goThat's how it goes
    • A wah?What is it? / What?
    • AckeeJamaica's national fruit
    • AgoGoing to (future marker)

    B

    C

    D

    • DashTo throw, toss
    • DehTo be (located) / there
    • Deh dehBe there / there
    • Deh widTo be in a relationship with, be dating
    • DemThey, them — and plural marker
    • DiThe
    • DidPast tense marker (was, did, -ed)
    • DoneCompleted action marker (have already); finished
    • DumplingDumpling
    • Dun knowYou already know; of course
    • DuppyGhost, spirit
    • DuttyDirty
    • DweetDo it

    E

    F

    G

    H

    I

    • ImHe, him, his; often she, her
    • InnaIn / inside / into
    • Inna di morrowsSee you tomorrow
    • IrieFeeling good, everything's fine
    • ItalNatural, unprocessed food

    J

    • JahGod (in Rastafari)
    • JerkSpicy grilled cooking style
    • JonkanooTraditional masquerade parade

    K

    L

    M

    N

    O

    • ObeahA traditional African-derived spiritual practice
    • One loveUnity, love and respect
    • OomanWoman

    P

    R

    S

    T

    U

    • UnnuYou all (plural)

    V

    • VexAngry, annoyed

    W

    Y

    Z

    • ZeenCool / understood

    How this dictionary works

    Spelling. Patois has no single everyday spelling. Headwords use the spellings most people type and that the Patois Pal app uses (mi, yuh, di, pickney). Where it helps, entries also give the academic Cassidy/JLU spelling developed at the University of the West Indies (pikni) and other common spellings.

    Pronunciation. Each entry has a plain respelling with the stressed syllable in capitals. Some entries also have a computer-generated audio guide from the app. It's labelled as such and isn't a native-speaker recording. Recordings by Jamaican speakers are planned.

    Strong language. Cuss words are included because learners hear them in music and conversation. Each one says how strong it is and when it's out of place.

    Corrections. If a meaning, spelling or example doesn't match how you or your family speak, email hello@patoispal.com. Usage varies across parishes and generations, and those notes make the dictionary better. See how we write the dictionary.