Phrases for this situation

Jamaican greetings and responses: everyday Patwa phrases

Learn common Jamaican greetings and responses, including everyday ways to say hello, good morning, thanks, goodbye and friendly replies in Jamaican Patwa.

Good evenin.

Safe to say respectfully

Meaning: Good evening
Pronunciation: good ee-vnin
You may hear: “Good evenin, everyting alright?”
English: Good evening, is everything all right?
Possible response: Yeah, man.
Tone: neutral
Visitor guidance: Natural greeting without performing an accent.

Likkle more.

Understand it first

Meaning: See you later / Until later
Pronunciation: lik-kle more
You may hear: “Mi a go now—likkle more.”
English: I’m leaving now—see you later.
Possible response: Likkle more.
Tone: informal
Visitor guidance: Casual parting expression.

Mawnin.

Safe to say respectfully

Meaning: Good morning
Pronunciation: maw-nin
You may hear: “Mawnin, how yuh stay?”
English: Good morning, how are you?
Possible response: Mawnin.
Tone: neutral
Visitor guidance: A simple greeting; reviewer should choose preferred spelling.

Mi deh yah.

Understand it first

Meaning: I’m here / I’m doing okay
Pronunciation: mee deh yah
You may hear: “Mi deh yah, everyting good.”
English: I’m doing okay; everything is good.
Possible response: Respect.
Tone: informal
Visitor guidance: Common conversational response whose force depends on context.

Respect.

Safe to say respectfully

Meaning: Thanks / Appreciation / Respect
Pronunciation: ree-spekt
You may hear: “Respect fi di help.”
English: Thanks for the help.
Possible response: No problem.
Tone: neutral
Visitor guidance: Meaning varies from thanks to acknowledgement.

Tank yuh.

Safe to say respectfully

Meaning: Thank you
Pronunciation: tank yuh
You may hear: “Tank yuh fi yuh help.”
English: Thank you for your help.
Possible response: Yuh welcome.
Tone: neutral
Visitor guidance: Straightforward thanks; review natural spelling and example.

Tek care.

Safe to say respectfully

Meaning: Take care
Pronunciation: tek care
You may hear: “Tek care pon di road.”
English: Take care on the road.
Possible response: Same to yuh.
Tone: neutral
Visitor guidance: Useful friendly farewell; spelling varies.

Wah gwaan?

Understand it first

Meaning: What’s going on? / How are you?
Pronunciation: wah gwaan
You may hear: “Wah gwaan, boss?”
English: How are you, friend?
Possible response: Mi deh yah.
Tone: informal
Visitor guidance: Friendly greeting; a visitor should use it naturally and never exaggerate an accent.

Jamaican greetings and responses: everyday Patwa phrases

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