Jamaican Patois Slang: Meanings and Usage

Jamaican Patois (Patwa) is an English-based creole with West African influences. Here are essential terms:

• Irie – Good, cool, peaceful, high vibes
• Wah Gwaan – "What's going on?" / "What's up?" (greeting)
• Yute – Youth, young man
• Bredrin / Bredda – Close male friend (from "brother")
• Gal / Gyal – Girl, young woman
• Likkle – Little, small
• Big Up – Respect, praise, shout-out
• Mi – My / I/me
• Yuh – You/your
• Bumboclaat / Bomboclaat – Strong expletive (shock, anger, emphasis)—use with extreme caution
• Jamdown – Jamaica
• Yard / Yardman – Jamaica / Jamaican
• Chalice – Marijuana pipe/session
• Nyam – Eat
• Pickney – Child

Language Notes

• Grammar differs from English (e.g., "mi a go" = "I am going")
• Continuum from broad Patois to standard Jamaican English
• Vibrant, evolving—new slang emerges constantly (dancehall, social media)
• Respect context: Patois is a marker of identity; performative use by outsiders can offend