101 Jamaican Slang Words & Phrases

Want to learn some common Jamaican Slang?

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You’re about to discover the top 101 Jamaican slang words and important slang phrases.

Ready to learn some Jamaican words and slang phrases, especially if traveling to Jamaica?

Let’s dive in!

101 Most Common Jamaican Slang Words & Phrases

Here’s a list of 101 popular Jamaican slang words and phrases, categorized for easier understanding.

This selection aims to cover a broad spectrum of daily conversations, from greetings to expressions of surprise, so that you will find them both interesting and practical.

Greetings & Common Expressions

1. Wah Gwaan

• 📖 Meaning: What’s going on?
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: wah-gwahn
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Wah gwaan, mi friend?” (“What’s going on, my friend?”)

2. Mi deh yah

• 📖 Meaning: I’m here/I’m okay.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: mee-deh-yah
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Yuh alright?” “Yeah, mi deh yah, yuh know.” (“You alright?” “Yeah, I’m here, you know.”)

3. How yuh stay?

• 📖 Meaning: How are you doing?
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: how-yuh-stay
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Morning, how yuh stay?” (“Morning, how are you doing?”)

4. Bless up

• 📖 Meaning: Greetings, or to wish someone well.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: bless-up
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Bless up, mi brother, everything irie?” (“Greetings, my brother, is everything alright?”)

5. Goodaz

• 📖 Meaning: A compliment to a woman, indicating she’s good looking.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: good-ahz
• 🇯🇲 Example: “See that girl deh? She a real goodaz.” (“See that girl there? She is really good looking.”)

6. Respek

• 📖 Meaning: Respect.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: res-pek
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Respek fi di way yuh handle dat situation.” (“Respect for the way you handled that situation.”)

7. One Love

• 📖 Meaning: Goodbye, take care.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: one-love
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Aight, me haffi go now. One love!” (“Alright, I have to go now. Take care!”)

8. Likkle more

• 📖 Meaning: See you later.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: lik-kle-more
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi ago head out now, likkle more.” (“I’m going to head out now, see you later.”)

Farewells

9. Walk good

• 📖 Meaning: Take care on your journey/Goodbye.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: walk-good
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi ago leave now, walk good, yeah?” (“I’m going to leave now, take care, okay?”)

10. Lata

• 📖 Meaning: Later; goodbye.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: lah-tah
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi see yuh lata at di party.” (“I’ll see you later at the party.”)

11. Mi ago mek a move

• 📖 Meaning: I’m going to leave now.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: mee-ah-go-mek-ah-move
• 🇯🇲 Example: “It late, mi ago mek a move.” (“It’s late, I’m going to leave now.”)

12. Inna di morrows

• 📖 Meaning: See you tomorrow.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: in-nah-di-mor-rows
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Alright then, inna di morrows.” (“Alright then, see you tomorrow.”)

Agreeing & Confirming

13. Yeah man

• 📖 Meaning: Yes, definitely.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: yeah-man
• 🇯🇲 Example: “You coming tomorrow?” “Yeah man, wouldn’t miss it.” (“You coming tomorrow?” “Yes, definitely, wouldn’t miss it.”)

14. True word

• 📖 Meaning: I agree.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: troo-word
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Di movie was really good, enuh.” “True word, mi love it.” (“The movie was really good, you know.” “I agree, I loved it.”)

15. Mi deh pon it

• 📖 Meaning: I will do it or I agree.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: mee-deh-pon-it
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Can you handle this task?” “Mi deh pon it, no worry.” (“Can you handle this task?” “I’m on it, don’t worry.”)

16. Fi real

• 📖 Meaning: For real or seriously. (Indicates genuine confirmation or seriousness in affirming the truth of a statement.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: fee-reel
• 🇯🇲 Example: “You actually got the job at the new firm?” “Fi real, man, I start next Monday!” (“You actually got the job at the new firm?” “Seriously, man, I start next Monday!”)

Disagreeing & Declining

17. Nah man
    
    
    • 📖 Meaning: No, not at all.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: nah-man
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Yuh think mi did wrong?” “Nah man, yuh did right.” (“Do you think I was wrong?” “No, not at all, you were right.”)
      
      
18. Mi nah go
    
    
    • 📖 Meaning: I won’t be able to or I’m not going
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: mee-nah-go
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Will you come over later?” “Sorry, mi nah go.” (“Can you come over later?” “Sorry, I won’t be able to make it or I’m not going.”)
      
      
19. Nuh dweet
    
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Don’t do it.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: nuh-dweet
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi should call him?” “Nuh dweet, wait till him cool down.” (“Should I call him?” “Don’t do it, wait until he cools down.”)
      

Feelings & States of Being

20. Mi feel irie
    
    
    • 📖 Meaning: I feel great.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: mee-feel-eye-ree
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “How yuh feeling?” “Mi feel irie, thanks fi ask.” (“How are you feeling?” “I feel great, thanks for asking.”)
      
      
21. Vex
    
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Angry or annoyed.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: veks
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “She late again, mi really vex wid har now.” (“She’s late again, I’m really angry with her now.”)
      
      
22. Stress out
    
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Stressed.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: stress-out
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Work a mi stress out bad.” (“Work is making me stressed.”)
      
      
23. Mi tyad
    
    
    • 📖 Meaning: I’m tired or I’m exhausted. (Expresses a state of physical or mental fatigue.)
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: mi tyad
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “After di long day at work, mi just feel tyad.” (“After the long day at work, I just feel exhausted.”)
      
      
24. Full joy
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Enjoying
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: full-joy
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi a full joy di day!” (“I am enjoying the day!)
      

Friends & Family

25. Bredren
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Male friend.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: bred-ren
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi bredren and mi ago hit di town tonight.” (“My friend and I are going to hit the town tonight.”)
      
26. Sistren
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Female friend.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: sis-tren
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi sistren always deh dere when mi need her.” (“My friend is always there when I need her.”)
      
27. Pikni
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Child.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: pik-nee
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Look how fast di pikni a grow!” (“Look how fast the child is growing!”)
      
28. Fambily
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Blood relatives, close friends and loved ones who are considered close.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: fam-bi-ly
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “We might not share blood, but you are my fambily, you are always there for me.” (“We might not be related by blood, but you are my family, you are always there for me.”)
      
29. Madda
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Mother.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: mad-da
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi madda a di best cook inna di whole world.” (“My mother is the best cook in the whole world.”)
      
30. Fadda
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Father.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: fad-da
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi fadda teach me everything mi know.” (“My father taught me everything I know.”)

Expressions of Surprise or Amazement

31. What a prekeh!
    
    • 📖 Meaning: What a situation/problem!
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: what-ah-preh-keh
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Him lose him job and car inna di same week? What a prekeh!” (“He lost his job and car in the same week? What a situation!”)
      
32. Lawd have mercy!
    
    • 📖 Meaning: An expression of disbelief or amazement.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: lawd-have-mercy
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “She really win di lottery? Lawd have mercy!” (“She really won the lottery? Unbelievable!”)
      
33. Blow wow!
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Wow, unbelievable!
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: blow-wow
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Di whole house get paint overnight? Blow wow!” (“The whole house got painted overnight? Wow, unbelievable!”)
      
34. Mi shock!
    
    • 📖 Meaning: I’m shocked.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: mee-shock
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Yuh mean to tell me seh him never know? Mi shock!” (“You mean to tell me he didn’t know? I’m shocked!”)

Compliments & Praises

35. Yuh large
    
    • 📖 Meaning: You’re awesome or highly respected.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: yuh-large
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “See how yuh handle dat? Yuh large, mi friend.” (“See how you handled that? You’re awesome, my friend.”)
      
36. Sell off!
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Fantastic, excellent.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: sell-off
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Dat performance did sell off! Mi impressed.” (“That performance was fantastic! I’m impressed.”)
      
37. Clean like a whistle
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Someone who is very stylishly dressed or looks exceptionally clean and neat.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: clean like a whistle
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Look pon him outfit, man, clean like a whistle!” (“Look at his outfit, he is very stylish!”)
      
38. Shell dung
    
    • 📖 Meaning: To do something impressively well.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: shell-dung
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Di team shell dung di competition this year!” (“The team did impressively well in the competition this year!”)

Food and Drink

39. Nyam
    
    • 📖 Meaning: To eat.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: nyam
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi so hungry, mi could nyam a whole cow right now.” (“I’m so hungry, I could eat a whole cow right now.”)
      
40. Ital
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Vegetarian, healthy food.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: eye-tal
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi switch to ital food fi live a healthier life.” (“I switched to vegetarian food to live a healthier life.”)
      
41. Bun and cheese
    
    • 📖 Meaning: A popular snack, especially during Easter.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: bun-and-cheese
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Easter coming, so you know it’s bun and cheese season.” (“Easter is coming, so you know it’s time for bun and cheese.”)
      
42. Ackee and saltfish
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Jamaica’s national dish.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: ack-ee-and-salt-fish
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Sunday morning breakfast must, ackee and saltfish with roast breadfruit.” (“Sunday morning breakfast must include ackee and saltfish with roasted breadfruit.”)
      
43. Jerk chicken
    
    • 📖 Meaning: A spicy grilled chicken dish.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: jerk-chick-en
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “No visit to Jamaica complete without try some real jerk chicken.” (“No visit to Jamaica is complete without trying some real jerk chicken.”)
      
44. Rum punch
    
    • 📖 Meaning: A sweet, rum-based cocktail.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: rum-punch
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “It’s hot today, could really go for a cold rum punch right now.” (“It’s hot today; I could really go for a cold rum punch right now.”)

Money and Transactions

45. Change
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Refers to the smaller coins and bills returned to a purchaser after they have made payment exceeding the cost of the purchase.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: change
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Make sure you get your change before you leave the counter.” (“Make sure you receive your smaller coins and bills back before you depart, if you’ve paid more than the cost.”)
      
46. Small up yuhself
    
    • 📖 Meaning: Make room or give space.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: small-up-yuh-self
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Di minibus full, but small up yuhself so mi can fit.” (“The minibus is full, but make some room so I can fit.”)
      
47. Brawta
    
    • 📖 Meaning: A little extra added to a purchase.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: braw-ta
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi always shop dere cause dem give yuh brawta with every buy.” (“I always shop there because they give you a little extra with every purchase.”)
      
48. Hustle
    
    • 📖 Meaning: To work hard, often in informal trade.
    • 🗣️ Pronunciation: hus-sle
    • 🇯🇲 Example: “From sun up to sun down, mi hustle to make ends meet.” (“From sunrise to sunset, I work hard to make ends meet.”)

Time and Events

49. Now now

• 📖 Meaning: Right away. (Immediately, without delay.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: now-now
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi need you to come now now, no time fi waste.” (“I need you to come right away, no time to waste.”)

50. Likkle bit

• 📖 Meaning: A short time, small amount or shortly.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: lik-kle-bit
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi gonna be dere inna likkle bit.” (“I’m going to be there ina short time.”)

51. Soon come

• 📖 Meaning: I’ll be there soon.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: soon-come
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Hold tight, mi soon come.” (“Hold on, I’ll be there soon.”)

52. Afta a while

• 📖 Meaning: After a while. (After some time has passed.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: aft-a-while
• 🇯🇲 Example: “We can link up afta a while.” (“We can meet up after a while.”)

Places and Directions

53. Yard

• 📖 Meaning: Home, one’s house or place of residence.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: yaad
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi just want go back to mi yard.” (“I just want to go back to my home.”)

54. Back o wall

• 📖 Meaning: A poor area or slum. (A economically disadvantaged area.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: back-o-wall
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Life tough inna back o wall, but wi still find joy.” (“Life is tough in a poor area or slum, but we still find joy.”)

55. Down di road

• 📖 Meaning: Down the road. (Further along the street.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: down-di-road
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Di shop down di road have everything yuh need.” (“The shop down the road has everything you need.”)

56. Go a town

• 📖 Meaning: Traveling to the city or downtown
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: go-a-town
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi need fi go a town today.” (“I need to go to the city or downtown today.”)

Affectionate Terms

57. Mi heart

• 📖 Meaning: My love/darling. (A term of endearment.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: mi-heart
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Yuh mean everything to mi, mi heart.” (“You mean everything to me, my love/darling.”)

58. Empress

• 📖 Meaning: A term of respect for a woman.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: em-press
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Morning, Empress, how yuh day going?” (“Good morning, Empress, how is your day going?”)

59. Kingman

• 📖 Meaning: A term of respect for a man.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: king-man
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Respect, Kingman, everything irie?” (“Respect, Kingman, is everything alright?”)

60. Babylove

• 📖 Meaning: Sweetheart. (A term of endearment for a loved one.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: baby-love
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Mi miss yuh so much, babylove.” (“I miss you so much, sweetheart.”)

Miscellaneous

61. Irie

• 📖 Meaning: Everything is alright; feeling good.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: eye-ree
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Yuh alright?” “Yeah, man, mi irie.” (“Are you okay?” “Yeah, man, I’m feeling good.”)

62. Babylon

• 📖 Meaning: The police or the system. (A term often used to describe the establishment or authority figures, usually with a negative connotation.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: bab-ee-lon
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Babylon always on we case, but we keep troddin’.” (“The police/system are always on our case, but we keep going.”)

63. Raggamuffin

• 📖 Meaning: A street-smart person; also refers to a reggae music style that incorporates hip-hop influences.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: ragga-muff-in
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Him a real raggamuffin, know how fi survive inna di streets.” (“He’s a real street-smart person, knows how to survive in the streets.”)

64. Dancehall

• 📖 Meaning: A style of Jamaican music that grew out of reggae, featuring fast rhythms and DJ commentary.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: dance-hall
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Dancehall music just have a vibe weh mek yuh want to dance.” (“Dancehall music just has a vibe that makes you want to dance.”)

65. Dub

• 📖 Meaning: A genre of music derived from reggae. It involves remixing existing recordings to emphasize drum and bass.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: dub
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Dub music deep and heavy, full of bass.” (“Dub music is deep and heavy, full of bass.”)

66. Zinc fence

• 📖 Meaning: A type of fencing made from corrugated metal, often used in informal settlements.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: zinc-fence
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Wi community full of zinc fence, but it a wi home.” (“Our community is full of corrugated metal fencing, but it’s our home.”)

67. Ganja

• 📖 Meaning: Marijuana.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: gan-ja
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Ganja a big part of di culture in Jamaica.” (“Marijuana is a big part of the culture in Jamaica.”)

68. Livity

• 📖 Meaning: A Rastafarian term for a righteous lifestyle. That is, living a life that is ethical, righteous, and in harmony with the environment and humanity.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: liv-ity
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Rastafari teach bout livity and one love.” (“Rastafari teaches about a righteous lifestyle and universal love.”)

69. Jah

• 📖 Meaning: God, in Rastafarian language.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: jah
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Give thanks to Jah for all blessings.” (“Give thanks to God for all blessings.”)

70. Riddim

• 📖 Meaning: The instrumental background of a reggae, dancehall, or dub song, onto which various artists can lay their vocals.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: rid-dim
• 🇯🇲 Example: “This riddim so catchy, every deejay want to voice pon it.” (“This rhythm is so catchy, every DJ wants to put their vocals on it.”)

Phrases for Everyday Use

71. Everyting criss

• 📖 Meaning: Everything is fine. (All is well or good.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: ev-ree-ting criss
• 🇯🇲 Example: “How you doing?” “Everyting criss, no worry.” (“How are you doing?” “Everything is fine, don’t worry.”)

72. Nuh worry yuhself

• 📖 Meaning: Don’t worry about it. (No need to worry.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: nuh wor-ree yuh-self
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Seems like rain coming.” “Nuh worry yuhself, we’ll still have a good time.” (“It seems like it’s going to rain.” “Don’t worry about it, we’ll still have a good time.”)

73. Tek time

• 📖 Meaning: Take your time. (Proceed at a comfortable pace; no rush.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: tek time
• 🇯🇲 Example: “You don’t have to rush the work, tek time and do it right.” (“You don’t have to rush the work, take your time and do it right.”)

74. Weh yuh deh pon?

• 📖 Meaning: What are you up to? (Asking someone what they are doing or involved in at the moment.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: weh yuh deh pon
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Hey, weh yuh deh pon this weekend?” (“Hey, what are you up to this weekend?”)

75. Yuh zee mi?

• 📖 Meaning: Do you understand me? (Asking for confirmation of understanding.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: yuh zee mi
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Just follow the instructions, yuh zee mi?” (“Just follow the instructions, do you understand me?”)

76. Mek we link up

• 📖 Meaning: Let’s meet up. (Proposing a gathering or meeting.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: mek we link up
• 🇯🇲 Example: “It’s been too long, mek we link up for lunch soon.” (“It’s been too long, let’s meet up for lunch soon.”)

77. Hold a vibes

• 📖 Meaning: Enjoy, relax. (To enjoy oneself or relax in a particular setting or with certain activities.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: hold a vibes
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Friday night, we just going to hold a vibes at the beach.” (“Friday night, we’re just going to enjoy and relax at the beach.”)

78. Mash up

• 📖 Meaning: Broken or destroyed.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: mash up
• 🇯🇲 Example: “After the party, the place was completely mash up.” (“After the party, the place was completely broken or destroyed.”)

79. Tun up

• 📖 Meaning: Exciting, fun. (Used to describe something that is lively, exciting, or has a great atmosphere.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: tun up
• 🇯🇲 Example: “The concert last night did tun up, man!” (“The concert last night was really exciting, man!”)

80. Wah mek?

• 📖 Meaning: Why? (Asking for the reason or cause of something.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: wah mek
• 🇯🇲 Example: “You not coming tonight? Wah mek?” (“You’re not coming tonight? Why?”)

Acknowledging Thanks

81. Nuh mention it

• 📖 Meaning: You’re welcome. (A way of saying “you’re welcome” or “it’s nothing.”)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: nuh men-shun it
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Thanks for the help.” “Nuh mention it, anytime.” (“Thanks for the help.” “You’re welcome, anytime.”)

82. Cool nuh man

• 📖 Meaning: It’s all right, no problem. (Expressing that something is not an issue or problem.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: cool nuh man
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Sorry for the trouble.” “Cool nuh man, no problem at all.” (“Sorry for the trouble.” “It’s all right, no problem at all.”)

Expressing Difficulty

83. It tough

• 📖 Meaning: It’s difficult. (Describing a situation that is hard to handle or understand.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: it tough
• 🇯🇲 Example: “This exam really challenging, it tough.” (“This exam is really challenging, it’s difficult.”)

84. Mi a suffer

• 📖 Meaning: I’m struggling. (Expressing personal hardship or difficulty with a situation.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: mi a suffer
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Since mi lose mi job, mi a suffer to make ends meet.” (“Since I lost my job, I’m struggling to make ends meet.”)

Asserting Knowledge or Awareness

85. Mi know di runnings

• 📖 Meaning: I know what’s going on. (Indicating awareness of the situation or the way things work.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: mi know di runnings
• 🇯🇲 Example: “You can’t fool me, mi know di runnings.” (“You can’t fool me, I know what’s going on.”)

86. Mi have di 411

• 📖 Meaning: I have the information. (Claiming to have the necessary or insider information.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: mi have di four-one-one
• 🇯🇲 Example: “If you need to know about the event, talk to me, mi have di 411.” (“If you need to know about the event, talk to me, I have the information.”)

Declaring Intentions

87. Mi ago sort it out

• 📖 Meaning: I will take care of it. (Expressing the intention to address or resolve a problem.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: mi ago sort it out
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Don’t worry about the bills, mi ago sort it out by tomorrow.” (“Don’t worry about the bills, I will take care of it by tomorrow.”)

88. Mi a go hard

• 📖 Meaning: I’m going to do my best. (Stating the intention to give one’s full effort or commitment.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: mi a go hard
• 🇯🇲 Example: “This year, mi a go hard to achieve my goals.” (“This year, I’m going to do my best to achieve my goals.”)

Admiration & Respect

89. Dem a di real deal

• 📖 Meaning: They are genuine/authentic. (Affirming that someone or something is legitimate or of high quality.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: dem a di real deal
• 🇯🇲 Example: “His kindness and wisdom show he’s not just talk, dem a di real deal.” (“His kindness and wisdom show he’s not just talk, they are the real deal.”)

90. Big up yuhself

• 📖 Meaning: Congratulate yourself, well done. (A phrase used to acknowledge someone’s achievements or to encourage self-recognition.)
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: big up yuh-self
• 🇯🇲 Example: “You passed all your exams? Big up yuhself, you worked hard for it.” (“You passed all your exams? Congratulate yourself, you worked hard for it.”)

Warning or Caution

91. Watch yuh step

• 📖 Meaning: Be careful.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: watch yuh step
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Dem floors slippery, watch yuh step.” (“Those floors are slippery, be careful.”)

92. Mind how yuh go

• 📖 Meaning: Take care on your way.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: mind how yuh go
• 🇯🇲 Example: “It late now, mind how yuh go.” (“It’s late now, take care on your way.”)

Expressions of Disappointment

93. Choh man!

• 📖 Meaning: Exclamation of disappointment.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: choh man
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Di party cancel? Choh man!” (“The party is canceled? What a disappointment!”)

94. Dat nah work

• 📖 Meaning: That won’t work/that’s not good.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: dat nah work
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Yuh plan to fix it like dat? Dat nah work.” (“Your plan to fix it like that? That won’t work/that’s not good.”)

Love and Relationships

95. Mi love yuh bad

• 📖 Meaning: I love you a lot.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: mi love yuh bad
• 🇯🇲 Example: “No matter what, mi love yuh bad.” (“No matter what, I love you a lot.”)

96. Gyalis

• 📖 Meaning: A man who is popular with the ladies.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: gy-al-is
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Him known as a gyalis, always with a different girl.” (“He’s known as a man who is popular with the ladies, always with a different girl.”)

97. Bun

• 📖 Meaning: To cheat on someone.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: bun
• 🇯🇲 Example: “She give him bun and now di relationship mash up.” (“She cheated on him and now the relationship is destroyed.”)

98. Catch feelings

• 📖 Meaning: To develop emotional attachment.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: catch feelings
• 🇯🇲 Example: “We just friends, but I think him start catch feelings.” (“We’re just friends, but I think he’s starting to develop emotional attachment.”)

Celebratory Phrases

99. Shell di place

• 📖 Meaning: Dominate, impress everyone present.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: shell di place
• 🇯🇲 Example: “Last night DJ shell di place, crowd gone wild.” (“Last night the DJ dominated, impressing everyone present, and the crowd went wild.”)

100. Tun up di ting

• 📖 Meaning: Make the situation exciting or lively.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: tun up di ting
• 🇯🇲 Example: “This party dull, we need to tun up di ting.” (“This party is dull, we need to make the situation exciting or lively.”)

101. Live it up

• 📖 Meaning: Enjoy life to the fullest.
• 🗣️ Pronunciation: live it up
• 🇯🇲 Example: “We young only once, so we haffi live it up.” (“We’re only young once, so we have to enjoy life to the fullest.”)

Final Thoughts: Jamaican Slang and Jamaican Phrases

Jamaican slang primarily originates from Jamaican Patois, an English-based creole language with West African influences.

It reflects Jamaica’s complex history, blending elements from the languages of African, British, and other cultures that have interacted with the island.

Slang bridges the gap between being a visitor and becoming a part of the community.

Jamaican slang evolves continuously, embodying the island’s cultural identity and history through expressive and dynamic language.

It’s widely recognized and celebrated, especially in the realms of music and entertainment, showcasing the global influence of Jamaican culture.