29 Jamaican Slang for Friend or Bro You Need To Know [2024]

Looking to learn some Jamaican Slang for Friend or Bro?

You’re in the right place!

Jamaican slang for friend or bro highlights the strong bonds of friendship and brotherhood that are at the heart of the culture.

You’re about to discover the top 29 Jamaican slang for friend or bro. Are you ready?

Let’s get to it!

29 Jamaican Slang for Friend or Bro

Here’s a list of 29 popular Jamaican slang for friend or bro, complete with pronunciations and examples.

This selection spans from casual greetings to terms for groups of friends, making them both practical and engaging for everyday conversations.

1. Brogad

🗣️ Pronunciation: broh-gahd
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Wah gwaan, Brogad?” (“What’s up, bro?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Brogad, yuh large.” (“Bro, you’re the best.”)
(Note: “Brogad” is also used to refer to Jamaica’s current Prime Minister, Andrew Holness).

2. Mi G

🗣️ Pronunciation: me gee
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Big up yuhself, mi G!” (“Respect to you, my friend!”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Mi G always have mi back.” (“My friend always has my back.”)

3. Chargie

🗣️ Pronunciation: char-gee
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Wah gwaan, mi chargie?” (“What’s up, my close friend?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Mi chargie always deh yah fi mi.” (“My friend is always here for me.”)
(Note: In Jamaica, “Chargie” is mainly used for a male friend. Rarely, it can refer to a female friend, but only in a completely friendly way).

To learn more Jamaican phrases, click here.

4. Fam

🗣️ Pronunciation: fam
🇯🇲 Example 1: “What’s good, fam?” (“What’s up, my friend?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Mi deh yah, fam.” (“I’m here, my friend.”)

5. Family

🗣️ Pronunciation: fam-e-le
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Yuh good, family?” (“Are you fine, my friend?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Mi deh yah, family.” (“I’m here, my friend.”)

6. Genna

🗣️ Pronunciation: jen-nah
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Big up, mi genna!” (“Respect, my bro!”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Mi genna, wah yuh seh?” (“What’s up, my friend?”)

7. General

🗣️ Pronunciation: jen-er-al
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Bless up, general.” (“Blessings, my friend.”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Mi general always have mi back.” (“My friend always has my back.”)

8. Dawg

🗣️ Pronunciation: daw-g
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Mi dawg, how yuh stay?” (“My bro, how are you?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Mi an’ mi dawg dem a chill.” (“My friends and I are hanging out.”)

9. Linky

🗣️ Pronunciation: link-ee
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Link mi later, linky.” (“Hit me up later, friend.”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Mi and mi linky a roll out.” (“My friend and I are heading out.”)

10. Bredda

🗣️ Pronunciation: bred-dah
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Bless up, bredda!” (“Blessings, my brother!”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Mi bredda fi life.” (“My brother for life.”)

11. Bredren

🗣️ Pronunciation: bred-ren
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Mi bredren, how yuh stay?” (“My brother, how are you?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Long time mi nuh see yuh, bredren.” (“I haven’t seen you in a while, my brother.”)

12. Pari

🗣️ Pronunciation: pah-ree
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Mi a par wid mi pari later.” (“I’m hanging out with my friend later.”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Mi pari always deh pon di scene.” (“My friend is always around.”)

13. Bro Bro

🗣️ Pronunciation: broh broh
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Wah gwaan, Bro Bro?” (“What’s up, bro?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Bro Bro, mi deh yah fi yuh.” (“Bro, I’m here for you.”)

14. Yute

🗣️ Pronunciation: yoot
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Wah gwaan, mi yute?” (“What’s going on, my friend?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Yute, yuh deh yah?” (“Bro, are you here?”)

15. Pardner

🗣️ Pronunciation: pard-ner
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Yuh good, pardner?” (“You good, buddy?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Mi an’ mi pardner a go out later.” (“My friend and I are going out later.”)

16. Don

🗣️ Pronunciation: don
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Mi don, yuh large!” (“My friend, you’re great!”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Respect, don.” (“Respect, friend.”)

17. Don Dadda

🗣️ Pronunciation: don dah-dah
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Mi Don Dadda, wah gwaan?” (“My friend, what’s up?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Mi Don Dadda always bring di vibes.” (“My friend always brings the energy.”)

18. Blood

🗣️ Pronunciation: bluhd
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Wah gwaan, mi blood?” (“What’s up, my friend?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Blood, yuh good?” (“Bro, you alright?”)

19. Umbre

🗣️ Pronunciation: um-breh
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Mi a link up wid mi umbre.” (“I’m meeting up with my friend.”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Umbre, pass di ting.” (“Bro, pass the thing.”)

20. Dawdi

🗣️ Pronunciation: daw-dee
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Mi dawdi, wah gwaan?” (“My bro, what’s up?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Yuh good, dawdi?” (“You good, bro?”)

21. Big Man

🗣️ Pronunciation: big man
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Respect, Big Man.” (“Respect, my friend.”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Big Man, yuh large!” (“Big man, you’re the best!”)

22. Pawdy

🗣️ Pronunciation: paw-dee
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Mi an mi pawdy a link up later.” (“My friend and I are meeting up later.”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Pawdy, yuh deh yah?” (“Bro, are you here?”)

23. Mi Boss

🗣️ Pronunciation: mi boss
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Big up, mi boss!” (“Respect, my friend!”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Mi boss, wah yuh seh?” (“My friend, what’s up?”)

24. Dupes

🗣️ Pronunciation: doops
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Mi dupes, what’s good?” (“My friend, what’s up?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “You always got mi back, dupes.” (“You always support me, my friend.”)

25. Star

🗣️ Pronunciation: staar
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Yuh large, Star!” (“You’re amazing, my friend!”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Thanks for the help, Star.” (“Thanks for the help, my friend.”)

26. King

🗣️ Pronunciation: king
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Bless up, King.” (“Greetings, my brother.”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “King, you handled that well.” (“My friend, you did a great job.”)

27. Dappa

🗣️ Pronunciation: dap-pah
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Wah gwaan, Dappa?” (“What’s up, my friend?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Dappa, yuh ever clean.” (“Friend, you’re always looking good.”)

28. Iyah

🗣️ Pronunciation: eye-yah
🇯🇲 Example: “Wah gwaan, iyah?” (“What’s going on, bro?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Respect, iyah!” (“Respect, bro!”)
(“Iyah” originally came from the Rastafarian community but has since become mainstream)

29. Idren (Used by Rastafarians to mean brethren)

🗣️ Pronunciation: eye-dren
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Mi idren, yuh good?” (“My friend, are you good?”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Mi idren always have mi back.” (“My friend always supports me.”)

Bonus

Massive (Used to refer to a group of friends or a collective)

🗣️ Pronunciation: mas-siv
🇯🇲 Example 1: “Big up di massive!” (“Respect to the group of friends!”)
🇯🇲 Example 2: “Di massive a roll out tonight.” (“The group of friends is heading out tonight.”)

Frequently Asked Questions about Jamaican Slang for Friend or Bro

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Jamaican slang for friend or bro, along with answers:

1. Can “Fam” or “Family” be used for a group, or is it just for one person?
“Fam” or “Family” is typically used to refer to one person, rather than a group.

2. Can “Fam”, and “Family” be used interchangeably?
Yes, “Fam” and “Family” all refer to close friends.

3. Can “Mi Boss” also be used for someone in charge?
Yes, “Mi Boss” can be used to refer to someone in charge, but it’s also commonly used among friends, regardless of their actual authority.

Final Thoughts About Jamaican Slang for Friend or Bro

Jamaican slang for friend or bro capture the deep sense of camaraderie and connection that’s central to the island’s culture.

These slang reflect the close-knit relationships that are a cornerstone of Jamaican life, where friendships can be valued as family ties.

Rooted in Jamaican Patois, a unique blend of English and West African influences, these Jamaican slang for friend or bro help shape the island’s vibe.

Using them isn’t just about sounding local—it’s about truly connecting with the heart of Jamaican culture.

Now that you know these slang, you can greet your friends with confidence.

🗣️ Whether you’re chilling with your “Pari,” linking up with your “Chargie,” or just vibing with the “Massive,” you’re tapping into the true rhythm of the culture.

So, go ahead—drop Jamaican slang for friend” or bro in your conversations and join the global community that is celebrating the vibrant energy of Jamaican culture.

One love 🇯🇲