Pon
/ PON /Part of our Jamaican Patois Dictionary — 1,400+ words and phrases with meanings and examples.
Quick answer: Pon (pronounced PON) is ‘on’ or ‘upon’.
What does Pon mean?
Pon means ‘on’ or ‘upon’. ‘Di book deh pon di table’ means the book is on the table. It’s also used for ‘at’ or ‘about’ in some phrases.
Where does Pon come from?
It is a shortened form of English ‘upon’, which survived in Jamaican speech long after it became formal in British English.
How to use Pon
Phrases include pon di beach (on the beach), pree pon (stare at), wait pon (wait for) and tek set pon (pick on).
| Jamaican Patois | English |
|---|---|
| Siddung pon di chair. | Sit on the chair. |
| Wait pon mi! | Wait for me! |
| Wah yuh a pree pon mi fah? | Why are you staring at me? |
Other spellings
Because Patois is mostly spoken, spellings vary. You may also see: pan, upon.
Related Patois words
Inna · Pree pon · Wait pon mi · Pon di beach
Frequently asked
What does pon mean in Patois?
On or upon.
What does ‘wait pon mi’ mean?
Wait for me.
Look up more words in the Jamaican Patois Dictionary, or see Pon in the dictionary.
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