Jamaica instantly reminds you of the blue sea; silver sand beaches; a green, black, yellow flag; dreadlocks; and of course Bob Marley and his reggae music. It also reminds you of the typical Jamaican English accent. The following are some commonly used Jamaican slang terms and their meanings.
Jamaican English, being the national language of Jamaica, is not an easy language to follow. A history of invasion, colonization, and slave trade from Africa influenced the Jamaican patois (commonly used language). Once free from all the invaders, globalization further influenced the native language. The freedom struggle and Rastafari movement gave rise to new words and terms that still prevail in present times. The current language used is an amalgamation of a series of metaphors learned and passed on for generations, along with its rich history.
Here’s a list of Jamaican slang terms along with their meanings.
A, to, is, it, the, will
Outdoors, outside
Will go
What are you up to?
Ask
Oil
And, than
You’re lying
Everything is great
All right, sure, okay
Poorhouse
Aunt, any woman
Born
Mother of a baby
Rasta word for police/corrupt system
Brother
Envious
Cheap fruit juice
Scoundrel
Rasta term for someone caught up in the evil system
A hair band worn by women
Only
Expressing surprise
Cool, awesome
Bottom
To ask
Upset/angry
Grown up business
Give respect
Jamaican $100 bill
Flashy/expensive chain
Hell
Bottle
About
Punch, fight
Relax
Brother
Wealthy person
Accidentally bump into, meet unexpectedly
Broke, broken, break
Because
Fool someone
Spinach stew
Beard
An expression used to express impatience or disappointment
To sing, especially spiritual songs
Money
Gay man
Break, hit
Potato-like vegetable
Money
Straight hair
Greedy
Looking good, something good
Cool, in-style
Problems, misfortune
Shouting bad words
Cutter; cutting tool
Can
Car
Father figure
That
Fantastic, fabulous
Than
Dog
Expensive
There or here
Desperate
Did, the, was
Type of dance common among school children
This
This right here
Cold and cruel person
Well respected person
Go on an outing
Rasta word for oppressed
Go ahead
Don’t care, careless
Albino
Fooling someone
Person with dreadlocks, greeting to a friend
To dance
Rasta word for coconut
Done
Money
Down
Friend
Ghost
Dirty
Doing
Do it
Forgive, lighten up
Stubborn
If
A place
For
Fast
Family
Nosy
Resemble, look like
Not taken personally
Fire
Homosexual
When used with fruits or vegetables means good enough to be harvested
Tomorrow
Chill out or hang out
Stupid
Any part of the leg
Future
Friend
Dress
From or since
Mal-justice, wrong or unfair
Literally means gone
(To) go alone
To have
Give
Spinning top
Unit of measure
Give me
Con man – but when used with ‘Sunday Ginnal’ (clergy or preacher)
Impeccably reputed woman
Well respected person
Grandparents, elderly person
Opening greeting used commonly by Rastas
Yard or home
Go on
Have
Have to
Fabulous (yu dress a happen!)
Her
Excellent. proficient. skillful
Stubborn, headstrong
Hurt
Ears
Street vendor
Upper class
I, me, mine
Greeting
Ears
Upset
In the
Tomorrow
Praise
Rasta word for desire
Feeling good, everything is alright
Airplane
Jamaica
A joke, kidding
God, king of kings. lord of lords
Having a good time
Janga
Shrimp, crayfish
Young coconut
Quarrel, curse or cuss
Get into a fight
Chat, gossip
Stupid
Respected
Pay out
Awesome
Mother
Respected
Mongrel
Fat, overweight
Lord have mercy!
I’m coming
See you later
The boss
Rat
My baby mother/father
The mother or father of my baby
Dreadlocks
Nurse or midwife or nanny
Promote positive feeling
No matter
Nostril
Isn’t it so?
To eat
Nagging
Expression of unity
One by one
Only
Oh, yes
Gourd
Gossip
Choosy
Child, children
Peanut
Politics
Politicians
Teenager or adult female
Except for/except
Weak, feeble
Dripping or oozing
Peasant
Of no value
A tiny amount, very little
Rather
Reggae music played heavily on digital equipment
Expression meaning ass
Expression of surprise
High or drunk
One who is jealous
Fool
Bad guy
Sir
Unlucky, bad luck
Someone who isn’t hygienic
Smells good
Great, fantastic, wonderful
Expression of approval
Slang for girl/chick
Awesome
Slum, ghetto
This term is used when a Jamaican tries to speak English like an American or Englishman
Extremely cool and stylish
Fatty
Stand, wait
Thanks
Thief/to steal
Three
Truth in the past tense
Truth, true, threw
Uncle or older man
Husband
Understand
Plural form of you, you all
Pick-up truck
What’s up
Where
Large quantity
Goodbye
What are you saying?
Hello?
What’s going on
Eye
You understand
Youth (used in calling a friend)
You understand me?
Language is a medium to communicate your views and express yourself verbally. Slang is an informal use of a language. So, before you head out into the streets of Jamica, remember, this is a tip of the iceberg meant only to get you better acquainted with the locals there. Be careful when you use these common Jamaican slang terms, as they may not necessarily mean the same as your every day American English. If someone ‘Hushes’ you, he’s probably apologizing for something he’s done. So use your words wisely.
