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- Grammar words
Dictionary category · 21 entries
Grammar words in Jamaican Patois
Pronouns, tense markers and the little words that hold Patois together.
- AIs/are (equating); -ing (progressive marker); it's (focus); to/at“Mi a eat”: I am eating right now
- AgoGoing to (future marker)“Mi ago tell yuh someting”: I'm going to tell you something.
- BenPast tense marker (older form of did)“Im ben know di answer”: He knew the answer
- CyaanCan't, cannot“Mi cyaan swim”: I can't swim
- DehTo be (located) / there“Mi deh yah”: I'm here / I'm good
- DemThey, them — and plural marker“Dem a get married”: They are getting married.
- DiThe“Pass di salt”: Pass the salt
- DidPast tense marker (was, did, -ed)“Mi did go a town yesterday”: I went to town yesterday
- DoneCompleted action marker (have already); finished“Mi done eat”: I have finished eating
- FiTo, for“Mi come fi help yuh”: I came to help you.
- HaffiHave to, must“Mi haffi go now”: I have to go now.
- ImHe, him, his; often she, her“Im a go a market”: He is going to the market
- MiI, me, my“Mi hungry”: I'm hungry
- NahNot (doing); won't“Im naw go”: He is not going
- NevaDidn't (past negative); never“Mi neva si im”: I didn't see him
- NuhNot / isn't it?“Mi nuh know”: I don't know
- SehSay; that (introducing reported speech)“Mi hear seh shi a come”: I heard that she is coming
- ShiShe“Shi a mi sista”: She is my sister
- UnnuYou all (plural)“Unnu hear mi?”: Do you all hear me?
- WiWe, us, our; (also) will“Wi live a Kingston”: We live in Kingston
- YuhYou, your“Yuh ready?”: Are you ready?