Jamaica Phrases
English is spoken everywhere throughout Jamaica so you will be understood wherever you go. Many Jamaicans speak Patois which is a sort of broken English and here we have compiled some of the phrases you may hear when visiting the island.
Once you understand the basics of Patois you will easily be able to decipher what is being said and you can have a go at a few words yourself, which is bound to raise a smile with the locals.
There are some basic rules with Patois, if there is an 'r' at the end of a word Jamaicans tend to drop this so water becomes "wata” or dollar becomes “dolla” and so on. The "h" is often added or removed from words so hello becomes "ello" and everybody becomes "heverybody".
If a word usually contains a double "tt" then this is replaced with "kk" so your bottle is your "bokkle".
Here we have compiled some unique Jamaica words you can learn before you head off on holiday:
Once you understand the basics of Patois you will easily be able to decipher what is being said and you can have a go at a few words yourself, which is bound to raise a smile with the locals.
There are some basic rules with Patois, if there is an 'r' at the end of a word Jamaicans tend to drop this so water becomes "wata” or dollar becomes “dolla” and so on. The "h" is often added or removed from words so hello becomes "ello" and everybody becomes "heverybody".
If a word usually contains a double "tt" then this is replaced with "kk" so your bottle is your "bokkle".
Here we have compiled some unique Jamaica words you can learn before you head off on holiday:
| Wha'appen? | Greeting used amongst friends |
| Seen | Yes I understand |
| Nuff | Plenty |
| Nyam | Eat |
| Irie | Good, nice |
| Criss | Expression meaning pretty |
| Bashy | Fabulous |
| Idren | Friends |
| Rhaatid | Wow |
| Walk Good | Goodbye |
| Bickle | Food |
| Bammy | Flat bread made from cassava |
| Cho Cho | Small pear shaped vegetable |
| Patty | Pasty filled with spicy meat |
| Dukunnu | Sweet dumplings wrapped in banana leaves |
| Tie-a-leaf | Sweet pastry made with coconut and steamed |
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