Gallis
/ GAL-lis /Part of our Jamaican Patois Dictionary — 1,400+ words and phrases with meanings and examples.
Quick answer: Gallis (pronounced GAL-lis) is a womaniser or ladies’ man.
What does Gallis mean?
A gallis (or gyalis) is a man who has many girlfriends — a playboy or ladies’ man. Depending on who’s talking, it can be a boast or a criticism.
Where does Gallis come from?
The form gyalis is built on gyal (girl); gallis is an older spelling. Dancehall songs have made ‘gyalis’ a popular boast.
How to use Gallis
The opposite end of the scale is a man who gets bun (cheated on).
| Jamaican Patois | English |
|---|---|
| Him a gallis, him have nuff gyal. | He’s a playboy with lots of girlfriends. |
| Nuh trus’ him, a gyalis dat. | Don’t trust him, he’s a ladies’ man. |
| Him tink him a big gyalis. | He thinks he’s a big ladies’ man. |
Other spellings
Because Patois is mostly spoken, spellings vary. You may also see: galis, gyalis, gyallis.
Related Patois words
Gyalis · Bun · Matey · Sweet-mout
Frequently asked
What is a gallis?
A man with many girlfriends.
Is gallis an insult?
It can be, depending on tone — some men use it as a boast.
Look up more words in the Jamaican Patois Dictionary, or see Gallis in the dictionary.
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