Mi deh yah
/ mee DEH yah /Part of our Jamaican Patois Dictionary — 1,400+ words and phrases with meanings and examples.
Quick answer: Mi deh yah (pronounced mee DEH yah) is ‘I’m here’ — and the classic reply to ‘wah gwaan’.
What does Mi deh yah mean?
Mi deh yah literally means ‘I’m here’, and it’s the classic reply to wah gwaan? (what’s up?) — meaning ‘I’m alright’ or ‘just getting by’.
Where does Mi deh yah come from?
Deh (to be located) plus yah (here). Said with a sigh — ‘mi deh yah, Lawd’ — it means ‘surviving’.
How to use Mi deh yah
Typical exchange: ‘Wah gwaan?’ — ‘Mi deh yah, man. Yuh good?’
| Jamaican Patois | English |
|---|---|
| Wah gwaan? — Mi deh yah. | What’s up? — I’m OK. |
| Mi deh yah a wait pon yuh. | I’m here waiting for you. |
| Mi deh yah, Lawd, a struggle. | I’m getting by, Lord, it’s a struggle. |
Other spellings
Because Patois is mostly spoken, spellings vary. You may also see: mi de ya, mi deh ya.
Related Patois words
Wah gwaan · Deh · Mi good · Mi deh yah a chill
Frequently asked
How do you reply to wah gwaan?
‘Mi deh yah’, ‘mi good’ or ‘irie’.
What does mi deh yah mean literally?
I’m here.
Look up more words in the Jamaican Patois Dictionary, or see Mi deh yah in the dictionary.
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