Patois Dictionary
1
Meaning
Rastafarian or reggae greeting, salutation, or hype exclamation.
Example
"Yush, mi bredrin! Good fi see yuh today."
2
Meaning
A native Jamaican man; or a man who takes care of the yard/property.
Example
"Di Yard-man dem rep Jamaica with pride overseas."
3
Meaning
Rastafarian philosophical concept of the creative and spiritual power of spoken words.
Example
"Rasta believe in word-sound-power fi manifest positive reality."
4
Meaning
To pause, restart, re-evaluate, or replay a song (dancehall rewinding term).
Example
"Wheel-and-come-again wid di proposal cause wi need fi check di numbers."
5
Meaning
The last child born to a mother (youngest sibling).
Example
"Him a di wash-belly inna di family of six pickney."
6
Meaning
Traditional Jamaican dish of cornmeal cooked with coconut milk, herbs, and spices.
Example
"Granny cook turn-cornmeal wid coconut milk fi dinner."
7
Meaning
Take your time; go slowly; exercise caution and patience.
Example
"Tek-time walk pon di wet mountain road."
8
Meaning
Flattery, charm, or smooth talking used to persuade or coax someone.
Example
"Nuh try yuh sweet-mouth pon mi, mi nuh a buy it."
9
Meaning
An awkward, clumsy, foolish, or unpolished person.
Example
"Nuh behave like a swegbe at di formal dinner."
10
Meaning
Physical building; organized framework; or body physique (slang).
Example
"Di athlete have a serious structure."
11
Meaning
Fruit of the West Indian locust tree (Hymenaea courbaril) with a pungent shell and sweet pulp.
Example
"Di pickney dem crack open di stinking-toe fi eat di sweet pulp."
12
Meaning
A dangerous, sharp, formidable person who should not be provoked.
Example
"Him flex like a stepping-razor, nobody nuh mess wid him."
Have Questions?
Category
Part of Speech