Patois Dictionary
1
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."
2
Meaning
Rastafarian or reggae greeting, salutation, or hype exclamation.
Example
"Yush, mi bredrin! Good fi see yuh today."
3
Meaning
Yam (starchy root crop); or to eat voraciously (variant of nyam).
Example
"Yellow yam and saltfish a classic Jamaican meal."
4
Meaning
A Jamaican native; or a fellow countryman living abroad.
Example
"Everywhere yuh go inna di world, yuh wi find a Yardie."
6
Meaning
Energetic exclamation of emphatic agreement, enthusiasm, or affirmation.
Example
"Yessah! That a di best news mi hear all week!"
8
Meaning
Tears; crying fluid.
Example
"Yeye-wata start drop from her face when she hear di news."
9
Meaning
Over there; far off distance.
Example
"See di church house sitting over yonder pon di hill."
10
Meaning
"Do you understand me?" / "Do you get my point?"
Example
"Wi haffi work hard fi build di nation, yuh see mi?"
11
Meaning
Youth, young person, child, or close young friend.
Example
"Big up all di ambitious yute dem inna di community."
12
Meaning
Yard, home, house, property, or Jamaica itself.
Example
"Welcome to mi yaad, make yuhself comfortable."
Do you want to learn patois?
Join our online course and community to learn to speak, write and understand Patois like a true Yardie.
- Learn at your own pace online
- Taught by REAL Jamaicans
- Lifetime Access
Word of the Day
Stamp-and-go
[stamp-an-goh]
Noun
Meaning: Traditional Jamaican saltfish fritter.
Example: “Order a plate a hot stamp-and-go fi breakfast.”
Have Questions?
Category
Part of Speech