Cho
/ CHOH /Quick answer: Cho (pronounced CHOH) is an exclamation of annoyance, like ‘ugh’ or ‘come on’.
What does Cho mean?
Cho is an exclamation of annoyance, disappointment or dismissal — like ‘ugh’, ‘tsk’ or ‘oh come on’. It’s one of the most common sounds in everyday Jamaican speech.
Where does Cho come from?
It is an expressive interjection with roots in West African speech patterns; similar sounds are used across the Caribbean.
How to use Cho
Cho often sits beside a steups (kissing your teeth). ‘Cho man!’ means ‘oh come on!’.
| Jamaican Patois | English |
|---|---|
| Cho! Mi miss di bus again. | Ugh! I missed the bus again. |
| Cho man, stop it! | Oh come on, stop it! |
| Cho, mi nuh care. | Meh, I don’t care. |
Other spellings
Because Patois is mostly spoken, spellings vary. You may also see: cha, chaa, choh.
Related Patois words
Steups · Kiss mi neck · Rahtid · Cho man
Frequently asked
Is cho rude?
No — it’s an everyday exclamation, though it shows irritation.
What is the difference between cho and steups?
Cho is a spoken word; a steups is the sucking-teeth sound.
Look up more words in the Jamaican Patois Dictionary, or see Cho in the dictionary.