Wah gwaan?
- Meaning
- What’s going on? / How are you?
- Pronunciation
- wah gwaan
- Visitor guidance
- Friendly greeting; a visitor should use it naturally and never exaggerate an accent.
← Helpful Patois phrases
Save for your Jamaica trip
20 Essential Jamaican Patois Phrases for Travelers
Understand common phrases, recognize possible responses and communicate respectfully. Listen first, speak naturally and never exaggerate an accent.
Travel situation
Greetings
Mawnin.
- Meaning
- Good morning
- Pronunciation
- maw-nin
- Visitor guidance
- A polite greeting used in the morning.
Tank yuh.
- Meaning
- Thank you
- Pronunciation
- tank yuh
- Visitor guidance
- A straightforward, respectful way to say thanks.
Likkle more.
- Meaning
- See you later / Until later
- Pronunciation
- lik-kle more
- Visitor guidance
- Casual parting expression.
Travel situation
Transportation
How much fi di ride?
- Meaning
- How much is the ride?
- Pronunciation
- how much fi di ride
- Visitor guidance
- Confirm currency, total price and whether it is per person.
How long it tek?
- Meaning
- How long does it take?
- Pronunciation
- how long it tek
- Visitor guidance
- Travel time is contextual and not a promise.
Stop yah suh, please.
- Meaning
- Please stop here.
- Pronunciation
- stop yah suh please
- Visitor guidance
- Use only where stopping is safe and permitted.
Mi reach.
- Meaning
- I have arrived / This is my stop.
- Pronunciation
- mee reach
- Visitor guidance
- Useful for recognizing that someone has arrived or reached a stop.
Travel situation
Food and dining
Mi waan order.
- Meaning
- I would like to order.
- Pronunciation
- mee waan or-der
- Visitor guidance
- Standard English is also appropriate when ordering.
Wah yuh recommend?
- Meaning
- What do you recommend?
- Pronunciation
- wah yuh reh-koh-mend
- Visitor guidance
- Friendly in relaxed settings.
It spicy?
- Meaning
- Is it spicy?
- Pronunciation
- it spice-ee
- Visitor guidance
- Useful for checking the level of heat before ordering.
Mi can get some wata?
- Meaning
- Can I get some water?
- Pronunciation
- mee can get some wah-tah
- Visitor guidance
- Polite request; standard English is equally appropriate.
Travel situation
Shopping
How much fi dis?
- Meaning
- How much is this?
- Pronunciation
- how much fi dis
- Visitor guidance
- Confirm whether price is Jamaican dollars.
Mi just a look.
- Meaning
- I’m just looking.
- Pronunciation
- mee just ah look
- Visitor guidance
- Useful for comprehension in markets and shops.
Travel situation
Directions
Weh di bathroom deh?
- Meaning
- Where is the bathroom/restroom?
- Pronunciation
- weh di bath-room deh
- Visitor guidance
- Standard English is equally appropriate when asking for a restroom.
A which way fi go?
- Meaning
- Which way should I go?
- Pronunciation
- ah which way fi go
- Visitor guidance
- Use when asking for a direction; listen carefully to the response.
Travel situation
Understanding
Mi nuh understand.
- Meaning
- I don’t understand.
- Pronunciation
- mee nuh un-der-stand
- Visitor guidance
- Clear request to repeat or slow down.
Say it again, please.
- Meaning
- Please say it again.
- Pronunciation
- say it again please
- Visitor guidance
- Standard English is respectful and effective.
Travel situation
Respectful responses
No problem.
- Meaning
- It’s okay / You’re welcome / No difficulty
- Pronunciation
- no prob-lem
- Visitor guidance
- Meaning follows context and tone.
Tek yuh time.
- Meaning
- Take your time / Take care / Be careful
- Pronunciation
- tek yuh time
- Visitor guidance
- Multiple meanings; context is essential.