01
chaka-chaka
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: chaka-chaka
Untidy, disorderly, messy, or poorly arranged.
Jamaican topic
Everyday speech
25 entries show how this function appears in Jamaican words and phrases. Read the full context before treating related terms as synonyms.
02
cyaan
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: kyaahn
Cannot; can’t; is not able to.
03
deh deh
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: de de
There; over there; at that place or in that position.
04
dun know
Common search spelling
You already know; of course; certainly; that is understood.
05
gwaan
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: gwaan
To go on, continue, happen, proceed, or behave, depending on the sentence.
06
haffi
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: hafi
Have to; must; be required to.
07
inna
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: ina
In, inside, or into, depending on movement and sentence structure.
08
likkle
Common search spelling
Little, small, or a small amount.
09
likkle more
Common search spelling
See you later; until a little later.
10
mek
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: mek
To make, cause, allow, or let, depending on the construction.
11
mi
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: mi
I, me, or my, depending on its position and role in the sentence.
12
mi deh yah
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: mi de ya
I’m here; I’m doing alright; I’m present.
13
nuff
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: nof
Many, much, a lot of, plenty, or enough, depending on context.
14
nyam
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: nyam
To eat.
15
pon
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: pan
On, upon, or positioned on a surface; also used in many fixed expressions.
16
pree
Common search spelling
To observe, watch closely, check out, study, or assess someone or something.
17
soon come
Common search spelling
Will come soon; will return; is expected later.
18
tek care
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: tek kier a
To take care, look after someone or something, or—when used at parting—tell someone to stay safe and well.
19
unu
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: unu
You, when speaking to more than one person.
20
waan
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: wahn
Want; desire; intend or would like.
21
wah gwaan
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: wa gwaan
What’s going on?; what’s up?; how are things?
22
whappen
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: waapm
What’s happening?; what happened?; what’s up?
23
whole heap
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: uoliip
A lot; many; a large amount or number.
24
wi
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: wi
We or us; in some structures it also contributes to an our-related meaning.
25
yuh
Cassidy–JLU-style reference: yu
You or your when addressing one person, depending on the sentence.