Deh
/ DEH /Quick answer: Deh (pronounced DEH) is ‘there’, ‘to be (somewhere)’ and an ‘in progress’ marker.
What does Deh mean?
Deh means ‘there’ and also ‘to be located’: ‘weh yuh deh?’ (where are you?), ‘mi deh yah’ (I’m here). It also appears in relationship talk: ‘dem deh’ means they’re dating.
Where does Deh come from?
It comes from English ‘there’, reshaped into a verb of location — a feature Patois shares with other Atlantic creoles.
How to use Deh
Common phrases: mi deh yah (I’m here / I’m OK), mi deh pon it (I’m on it), ova deh (over there), a deh so (that’s where).
| Jamaican Patois | English |
|---|---|
| Weh yuh deh? | Where are you? |
| Di book deh pon di table. | The book is on the table. |
| Dem two deh now. | Those two are dating now. |
Other spellings
Because Patois is mostly spoken, spellings vary. You may also see: de, dey.
Related Patois words
Mi deh yah · Ova deh · Mi deh pon it · Deso
Frequently asked
What does ‘mi deh yah’ mean?
I’m here — or, as a reply, I’m doing OK.
What does ‘dem deh’ mean?
They’re in a relationship.
Look up more words in the Jamaican Patois Dictionary, or see Deh in the dictionary.