The classic Jamaican goodbye is walk good, a wish for a safe journey that works for anyone, from friends to elders. For a casual "see you later", say likkle more or more time. Inna di morrows means "see you tomorrow", and to announce you're leaving, say mi gone ("I'm off").
Saying you're leaving
Jamaican goodbyes often start with announcing that you're going:
Mi gone.
I'm leaving. / I'm off.
Mi a step.
I'm heading out.
Mi haffi go now.
I have to go now.
Mi gone is said as you're leaving, even though it literally sounds as if you've already gone. Step means to leave or move off.
The goodbyes
Walk good
"Take care", "travel safely". It's warm and suits nearly anyone and any journey, short or long.
Walk good, mi fren.
Safe travels, my friend.
Likkle more
"See you later", literally "in a little while". It's casual and common. See likkle for the word itself.
More time
Another casual "see you later", usually between friends:
Aright, more time!
All right, see you later!
Inna di morrows
"See you tomorrow", usually at the end of the day:
Mi gone, inna di morrows!
I'm off, see you tomorrow!
See yuh inna di mawnin.
See you in the morning.
One love, bless up, blessings
- One love: a farewell expressing unity and goodwill, made famous worldwide by Bob Marley. Heartfelt rather than casual.
- Bless up: works as both hello and goodbye.
- Blessings: "best wishes", as hello or goodbye.
Good night
For the end of the evening, the app's dating lessons teach a sweet version:
Good night, sleep good yuh hear.
Good night, sleep well, okay?
Yuh hear on the end softens it. It's affectionate, the way you'd talk to a partner, a child or a close friend.
After the goodbye: "call me when you reach"
A very Jamaican send-off is asking someone to let you know they got home safely. Reach means "arrive":
Link mi when yuh reach.
Call me when you arrive.
Call mi when yuh reach home.
Call me when you get home.
And the reply once you're there: Mi jus reach a yard ("I just got home").
Which goodbye when?
| Situation | Say |
|---|---|
| Leaving friends | Mi gone, likkle more / more time |
| Someone setting off on a journey | Walk good |
| End of the day, seeing them tomorrow | Inna di morrows |
| Leaving an elder or someone you don't know well | Walk good, or a plain "Good evening" or "Bye" |
| Warm, heartfelt send-off | One love / Blessings |
| Partner or close friend at night | Good night, sleep good yuh hear |
Don't confuse these
- Soon come means "I'll be back" or "I'm on my way". It's not a goodbye. It's a promise to return, with a famously flexible time frame.
- Gweh means "go away". It can be playful between friends, but it's dismissive, so never use it as a goodbye.
- Galang means "go on, carry on". Depending on tone, it can be encouraging or dismissive.
Questions people ask
What does walk good mean?
Walk good wishes someone a safe journey: 'take care', 'travel safely'. It's said to someone leaving, whether they're walking, driving or flying, and suits anyone from a friend to an elder.
What does likkle more mean?
Likkle more means 'see you later'. The app explains it literally as 'in a little while'. It's casual and friendly.
What do you say back to walk good?
A simple 'Yuh too' ('you too'), Bless up or Likkle more works. Thanking them with Respect is also natural.