Nyam
/ NYAHM /Quick answer: Nyam (pronounced NYAHM) is to eat — especially heartily or greedily.
What does Nyam mean?
Nyam means to eat, often with the sense of eating heartily, quickly or greedily. ‘Him nyam off di food’ means he ate all the food.
Where does Nyam come from?
It is one of the clearest African words in Patois, linked to West African languages such as Wolof, Fula and Twi, where similar words mean ‘to eat’. The same root appears in other Caribbean creoles and even in the word ‘yam’.
How to use Nyam
Nyam is informal. ‘Wanga-gut’ or ‘craven’ describe someone who nyams too much.
| Jamaican Patois | English |
|---|---|
| Mek wi go nyam. | Let’s go eat. |
| Who nyam off mi patty? | Who ate my patty? |
| Di dog nyam di bone. | The dog ate the bone. |
Other spellings
Because Patois is mostly spoken, spellings vary. You may also see: nyaam, nyamming.
Related Patois words
Bickle · Nyam out · Wanga-gut · Craven
Frequently asked
Is nyam rude?
It’s casual rather than rude — fine among friends, but you’d use ‘eat’ in formal settings.
Where does nyam come from?
West African languages, where similar words mean ‘to eat’.
Look up more words in the Jamaican Patois Dictionary, or see Nyam in the dictionary.