LocalMeanJamaica

Jamaica A–Z

Jamaican words and phrases

Search popular spellings, phonemic reference forms, English meanings, grammar labels, and context topics.

BCDFGHILMNPRSTUWYZ

48 entries

B

01

bally

Common search spelling

A Bally-brand shoe or pair of shoes; sometimes used more broadly for premium, high-status footwear in style and dancehall contexts.

NounRead entry
02

bashment

Common search spelling

A lively party, dance, or exciting social event; also something showy, stylish, or impressive in some contexts.

Noun / adjectiveRead entry
03

big up

Common search spelling

To praise, salute, acknowledge, or show respect to someone.

Verb phrase / greetingRead entry
04

brawta

Common search spelling

Something extra or additional, especially a bonus added to a purchase, portion, payment, or gift.

NounRead entry
05

bredren

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: breda

A close male friend, brother, companion, or respected peer.

Noun / form of addressRead entry
06

bruk

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: brok

To break or become broken; also used in phrases about falling apart, ending, or lacking money.

Verb / adjectiveRead entry
07

bwoy

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: bwai

Boy or male person; also a context-sensitive form of address or emotional exclamation.

Noun / form of address / interjectionRead entry

C

01

chaka-chaka

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: chaka-chaka

Untidy, disorderly, messy, or poorly arranged.

AdjectiveRead entry
02

cho

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: cho

An exclamation of annoyance, frustration, disbelief, impatience, or dismissal.

InterjectionRead entry
03

cyaan

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: kyaahn

Cannot; can’t; is not able to.

Modal verb / negative formRead entry

D

01

deh deh

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: de de

There; over there; at that place or in that position.

Locative expression / adverbRead entry
02

dem

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: dem

They or them; also a plural marker placed after a definite noun.

Pronoun / plural markerRead entry
03

dun know

Common search spelling

You already know; of course; certainly; that is understood.

Phrase / responseRead entry
04

duppy

Common search spelling

A ghost, spirit, or supernatural presence in Jamaican folk belief and storytelling.

NounRead entry
05

dutty

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: doti

Dirty, soiled, messy, or morally unpleasant; “dutty up” means to soil or make dirty.

Adjective / verbRead entry

F

01

fi

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: fi

A high-frequency Jamaican word used in several grammatical roles, including possession, purpose, obligation, and infinitive-like constructions.

Grammatical particle / prepositionRead entry

G

01

gwaan

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: gwaan

To go on, continue, happen, proceed, or behave, depending on the sentence.

Verb / discourse expressionRead entry
02

gyal

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: gyal

Girl or woman; in some contexts, a female friend or romantic interest.

Noun / form of addressRead entry

H

01

haffi

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: hafi

Have to; must; be required to.

Modal expressionRead entry

I

01

inna

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: ina

In, inside, or into, depending on movement and sentence structure.

PrepositionRead entry
02

irie

Common search spelling

Good, pleasant, settled, positive, or in a harmonious state.

Adjective / state expressionRead entry

L

01

likkle

Common search spelling

Little, small, or a small amount.

Adjective / noun modifierRead entry

M

01

mek

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: mek

To make, cause, allow, or let, depending on the construction.

VerbRead entry
02

mi

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: mi

I, me, or my, depending on its position and role in the sentence.

First-person singular pronounRead entry
03

mi deh yah

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: mi de ya

I’m here; I’m doing alright; I’m present.

PhraseRead entry

N

01

nuff

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: nof

Many, much, a lot of, plenty, or enough, depending on context.

Quantifier / adjectiveRead entry

P

01

pickney

Common search spelling

A child; children, depending on context.

NounRead entry
02

pon

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: pan

On, upon, or positioned on a surface; also used in many fixed expressions.

PrepositionRead entry
03

pree

Common search spelling

To observe, watch closely, check out, study, or assess someone or something.

VerbRead entry

R

01

ramp

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: ramp

To joke around, play, roughhouse, mess with someone, or fail to take a situation seriously.

VerbRead entry

S

01

seh

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: se

Say; said; or a word introducing what someone says, thinks, knows, or reports.

Verb / clause-linking wordRead entry
02

sistren

Common search spelling

A woman regarded as a sister, peer, or community member; especially meaningful in Rastafari and solidarity contexts.

Noun / form of addressRead entry
03

soon come

Common search spelling

Will come soon; will return; is expected later.

Time phraseRead entry

T

01

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.

Verb phrase / farewell expressionRead entry

U

01

unu

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: unu

You, when speaking to more than one person.

Second-person plural pronounRead entry

W

01

waan

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: wahn

Want; desire; intend or would like.

VerbRead entry
02

wah gwaan

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: wa gwaan

What’s going on?; what’s up?; how are things?

Greeting / questionRead entry
03

walk good

Common search spelling

Take care; travel safely; go well.

Farewell / well-wishRead entry
04

whappen

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: waapm

What’s happening?; what happened?; what’s up?

Greeting / questionRead entry
05

whole heap

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: uoliip

A lot; many; a large amount or number.

Quantity expressionRead entry
06

wi

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: wi

We or us; in some structures it also contributes to an our-related meaning.

First-person plural pronounRead entry

Y

01

yaad

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: yaad

Yard, home, household space, or—by extension—Jamaica, depending on context.

NounRead entry
02

yaadi

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: yaadi

A Jamaican person, or something identified as Jamaican, especially in home and diaspora contexts.

Noun / adjectiveRead entry
03

yuh

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: yu

You or your when addressing one person, depending on the sentence.

Second-person singular pronounRead entry
04

yute

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: yuut

A young person; youth; sometimes a familiar way to address a younger man.

Noun / form of addressRead entry

Z

01

zeen

Cassidy–JLU-style reference: siin

Okay; understood; agreed; I see.

Response particleRead entry