Jamaican Patois Dictionary: 1,400+ Words, Phrases & Proverbs

Going to / will (future marker).

How much is it?

It's nothing / don't mention it.

Out (on the streets, out and about).

That's how it is / that's life.

What (is it)?

What is this?!

Who (is it)?

At home.

Cow-horn trumpet used by Maroons to signal.

Maroon town in St. Elizabeth; celebrates on 6 January.

Jamaica's national fruit, cooked with saltfish for the national dish.

The tree the ackee fruit grows on; only eat ackee when the pods open naturally.

After; also 'since' (afta mi nuh mad).

Yellow-ish yam variety.

Is / it's / at — very common linking word.

What is it? / What's this?

Ask.

All of you.

All of us.

Crocodile (called alligator in Jamaica).

Tropical almond tree common by beaches.

The trickster spider of West African and Jamaican folk tales.

Folk tale; also a lie or tall tale.

It's not / isn't it.

Talk back.

Anywhere.

Neighbourhood, community.

Parched ground corn with sugar.

Donkey (neutral in rural Jamaica).

Aunt; also a respectful term for an older woman.

The father of a woman's child (outside marriage).

The mother of a man's child (outside marriage).

The oppressive system; also the police.

Policeman.

Back home in Jamaica (said abroad).

Talk back, answer rudely.

Back of the leg / calf.

White person; historically the plantation master.

Very good, excellent (slang); also bad or naughty.

Very (intensifier).

Upset stomach.

Tough or stylish young man.

Feeling faint or unwell.

Injured or sore leg.

Bold, independent, stylish woman.

Headache; confusion.

Envious, wishing others ill.

Bully, harass.

Swear word.

A threatening look.

Bother.

Gangster; tough guy.

Wickedness, criminal behaviour; also 'just to be spiteful'.

A lot of.

Flavoured drink sold in a small plastic bag.

A traitor or informer.

Bald; also a non-Rasta (in Rasta speech).

White-crowned pigeon, hunted in season.

Rafting trip on a river.

Flat cassava bread, often fried or steamed and served with fish.

Green banana porridge.

Traditional red-and-white plaid cloth, national costume fabric.

Scam, crooked dealings; a crook.

Commotion, uproar, disorder.

Person who manages a 'partner' savings scheme.

A large woven basket.

Only / nothing but / lots of.

Brazen, shameless.

A shipping barrel of goods sent from abroad; 'barrel children' are kids whose parents send barrels.

A big party; also dancehall music.

A woman who loves dancehall and parties.

Stylish, flashy, fancy.

Street cricket.

Bathe; shower.

Bottom, buttocks.

Very short shorts.

Cry / to cry loudly.

Shout loudly; to complain.

Born.

Police (derogatory).

Because.

Before; rather than.

Ask for, request (not only pleading).

Please (asking politely).

Stomach.

Stomach ache.

Lower abdomen.

Pregnant woman.

Bend.

Angry, irritated (another form of 'vex').

Divination using a Bible and key to find a thief.

Food (especially a meal).

Food and stuff.

Pregnant; also a large stomach.

Proud; also a large head.

Adult man; important person.

Lots of money.

Grown woman.

A great song.

Praise, a shout-out, or 'well done'.

Well done / respect to you.

A loudmouth, boaster.

Important, senior.

Motorcycle taxi rider; also a biker.

Bird.

Pride comes before a fall.

Kola nut, used as a folk remedy for poisoning.

Rum-soaked dark fruit cake for Christmas and weddings.

Bogeyman who steals children (folklore).

Greeting or thanks.

A greeting or goodbye wishing someone well, from Rastafari speech.

Concrete-block house.

Strong Jamaican swear word used as an exclamation or insult.

Jamaica's national tree.

World-famous Jamaican coffee.

Jamaica's highest range; Blue Mountain Peak.

A chance, a break, a favour.

Wooden house.

Proud, showing off.

Member of the Bobo Ashanti Rasta house, wearing turbans.

Trouble, nuisance, annoyance.

Dancehall dance named after dancer Gerald 'Bogle' Levy.

Boiled corn sold on the street.

Boiled flour dumpling.

Buy on credit.

Wonderful, lovely, splendid.

A sugar daddy; a man who supports a woman financially.

Respectful way to address a man you don't know.

The boss; a man in charge.

Portland village known as the birthplace of jerk.

Lower part of a house; also basement.

Bump into; also to meet by chance.

About; around.

Around here.

Small boxed juice.

A takeaway meal in a foam box.

A little extra thrown in for free when you buy something.

Tree that bears breadfruit.

Breakfast; also the morning meal at any time.

Brother; a male friend.

Brother.

Breadfruit — roasted or fried, a staple starch.

Friend or friends (often male); also 'brethren'.

My friends.

Wind; also a light, easy-going person.

Strong wind; also 'it's blowing'.

Brother (folk-tale title: Brer Anansi, Brer Tiger).

Bring (here).

Rude, cheeky, overly bold.

Meat or fish stewed in browning and spices.

A light-brown-skinned woman.

Broke, without money.

Dilapidated; also exhausted.

Emancipation-era dance celebrating freedom.

Broke / broken / to break; also 'broke' (no money).

Break in (burglary).

Break out (rash); party hard.

Penniless.

Break on; also to approach someone suddenly.

Break into pieces; also beat up.

Break off; run away.

Broken down (vehicle).

Break loose; party wildly; also a rash.

Meet by chance, run into someone.

Protruding teeth.

Community east of Kingston known for its Rasta camp.

Dense, sweet spiced flat cake, often eaten with cheese or pear.

Bulla cake with avocado.

Tinned corned beef.

One of the strongest Jamaican expletives — an exclamation of shock or anger.

Vulgar Jamaican expletive (from 'bottom'); used as a strong exclamation.

Car bumper; also backside (slang).

Burn; also to cheat on a partner.

Spiced Easter bun eaten with processed cheese.

Stomach ache; heartburn.

Burn down; also strongly reject something.

Cheated on me.

Burn out; exhausted.

Waste money.

Feeling very hot; also 'burnt'.

Burn away; destroy by fire.

Burnt rice at the bottom of the pot, prized by many.

Bus; a 'coaster' is a minibus taxi.

Medicinal herbs; 'bush tea' is herbal tea.

Herbal bath for cleansing or protection.

Remote countryside.

Herbal healer.

Be careful what you say — someone is always listening.

Herbal tea (fever grass, mint, cerasee).

Plantation overseer; now a boss or big landowner.

Boss, landowner.

Burst; also to become famous or succeed.

Fire a gun into the air; also to fail.

Burst out laughing.

Burst out (laughing, crying).

Burst open; also beat up.

A boil (skin).

Boy / young man; can be neutral or dismissive.

The boys.

Man, I don't know.

Son.

Boy child, son.

Call me.

Leafy green similar to spinach, steamed for breakfast.

Callaloo cooked with saltfish.

Sugar cane field.

Squatting on land.

Road march and soca festivities after Easter.

Carrot juice with nutmeg and condensed milk.

Take (away, somewhere).

Pay out; also spend freely.

Popular daily lottery game with number-dream meanings.

Cassava root, used for bammy.

Because.

Centipede.

Bitter vine brewed as a cleansing 'bush tea'.

Messy, disorganised, sloppy.

Rasta ritual pipe.

Annual high-school track championships.

Hire a taxi exclusively.

Talk; 'chatty-chatty' = talks too much.

Speak badly of someone.

Reveal secrets; snitch.

Talk to; also flirt with.

Flirt with; talk someone into something.

Talkative, gossipy person.

Have feelings for; like someone.

Processed cheese in a tin.

Chest.

Hide and seek.

Cheap chicken parts, a budget staple.

Chicken feet, used in soup.

Red-tailed hawk.

When things are going too well, danger is close.

Relax, hang out.

Chamber pot.

Chinese person (informal).

Corner shop (traditionally Chinese-Jamaican owned).

Exclamation of annoyance or dismissal — like 'tsk' or 'come on'.

Oh come on!

Chayote squash.

Fool.

Hot cocoa made from local chocolate balls.

Cut with a machete; also to wound.

The cool breeze that starts blowing in December.

Cinnamon leaf used in tea and porridge.

Clarks shoes, especially Desert Boots — a Jamaican style icon.

A competition between sound systems or artists.

Empty; also to take all someone's money.

Charcoal stove.

Minibus.

Rooster.

Talking too much will get you in trouble.

Rooster soup, said to give strength.

Cross-eyed.

Rugged limestone hills in the west.

Cockroach.

Don't get involved in fights between the more powerful.

Cocoyam / taro root.

Soft, folded bread often used to sandwich a patty.

Hot chocolate made from cocoa balls.

Leprosy or skin disease (old usage).

Chewy coconut and ginger sweets.

Coffee (called a 'tea').

Come in.

Primary exit exams to get into high school.

Unmarried couple living together.

Conch — eaten in soups and stews.

Inner-city Kingston.

Sweetened condensed milk — goes in everything.

Look.

Look at.

Look here! (from 'look here').

Small restaurant selling home-style meals.

Relax, chill.

Dated, often offensive term for an Indo-Jamaican.

Small sweet-sour plum (jujube).

Salted pork.

Street corner where men hang out.

Sweet spiced cornmeal porridge.

Braided rows close to the scalp.

Downtown Kingston's huge produce market.

Rest briefly, lean, perch; stay somewhere temporarily.

Could have.

The rural parishes outside Kingston; also someone from there.

Cousin; also close friend.

Cow-heel stew, rich and gelatinous.

Land or sea crab; crabs run in the rainy season.

Irritable; also oddly behaved.

Greedy, gluttonous.

Greed will choke you — don't be greedy.

Itchy skin rash.

Phone credit.

Sneakers.

Cricket — huge in Jamaica.

New, clean, fresh-looking; also 'fine' or 'great'.

Gecko that croaks at night (many Jamaicans fear it).

Burlap sack.

Kingston commercial area.

Bad luck, misfortune, trouble.

Come.

Goat curry — the party dish.

Curse / scold.

Swear.

Words can't hurt me; insults don't harm.

Clear land; also clear off.

Give a scornful look, then look away.

Machete.

Can't / cannot.

Can.

Jamaica's fast, digital reggae-descended music and the dance events it's played at.

Top female dancehall dancer.

Children's ball-throwing game.

Dark; also ignorant, unaware.

Pitch dark night.

Sunglasses.

Throw, toss.

Throw away; also to spill.

Taro root.

That.

Dog.

Daughter; also a Rasta term for a young woman.

Casual daily-paid work.

Daytime; dawn.

Die; also 'very' when used for emphasis.

The home of someone who has died, where people gather.

Expensive.

In Jamaica, the artist who chants or raps over the riddim (not the record player).

Remote rural area.

Only, single, just one.

There / to be located; also shows ongoing action.

Them / they; added after a noun to make it plural.

Then; also 'right?'

Right there.

The food is delicious.

The higher you rise, the more your faults show.

Weak, worthless, poor quality.

Small, inferior, insignificant.

Leave quickly, run off.

Dig up; also find out.

Lively dance and music at a wake.

Afternoon mealtime (Jamaicans often eat 'dinner' mid-afternoon).

This.

Rural community or village.

Red-billed streamertail hummingbird, Jamaica's national bird.

People of the same kind don't turn on each other.

Dollar; also money in general.

Dominoes — the national pastime.

Community strongman or gang leader; also 'boss'.

Finish; finished.

Oppression (Rasta wordplay — it holds you down).

Downtown Kingston; also working class.

Drop; fall.

Pull; also to get closer.

Draw out; also tease or coax.

Serious, harsh, tough; also a Rastafarian.

A person with locks; also the hairstyle.

A lift (ride).

Drop me off.

Drop out; also fall out (of something).

Illegal numbers game (older).

Mature coconut used for grating and oil.

Jamaican who's never left the island but acts foreign.

Instrumental remix style using echo and bass.

Exclusive custom recording for a sound system.

Termites.

Sweet cornmeal pudding boiled in banana leaf.

Bus/taxi conductor who collects fares and calls for passengers.

Mute person (unkind); also stupid.

Boiled or fried flour dough; 'spinners' are small boiled ones.

Stupid person.

Stupid, slow-witted.

Down.

Small fruit (jujube) from a thorny tree.

Ghost or spirit, central to Jamaican folklore.

Someone fearless, who can defeat even ghosts.

Plant whose seed pods pop when wet.

Bullies pick on those they think are weak.

Mushroom.

Heavy cast-iron cooking pot.

Dirty; also 'nasty' as an insult.

Times are hard.

Dancehall dance with fast neck-rolling.

Do it.

Ear(s).

Give me a break.

Leave quietly.

Relax; give someone a break.

Large, sweet mango variety.

Idiot / fool.

Right? / Isn't it? — tag question asking for agreement.

In.

The August 1–6 Emancipation and Independence holidays.

A Rasta man's wife or partner.

Neighbourhood (slang, also UK).

You know — added for emphasis.

Spring onion.

Fried fish topped with pickled onion, carrot and pepper.

Good afternoon / good evening — used from midday on.

Afternoon (from about noon).

Keep taking risks and one day it'll go wrong.

There's someone for everyone.

Small amounts add up — save a little at a time.

Everybody.

Everything.

Everything is great.

Everything's good.

Excuse me.

Rude, cheeky, disrespectful.

Father.

Quarrel and stop speaking.

Land jointly inherited by a family.

Overseas — especially the US, UK or Canada.

People from abroad; also Jamaicans living overseas.

Nosy, interfering in others' business.

Meddle; interfere.

Resemble / look like.

Weak, feeble, fussy, finicky.

Sweet fried cornmeal dumpling served with fish or jerk.

Fever.

Lemongrass, used for tea.

To / for; also shows possession ('mine').

For a long time; a lot.

For now.

For real / truly.

For sure.

Really, truly.

For what? / Why?

Theirs.

Hers.

His.

Ours.

Yours.

Small sweet banana (lady finger).

Oppose, try to bring someone down.

Persevere.

Finger.

Someone in danger who doesn't realise it.

First-born child.

Fish broth soup.

Tidy up; repair; dress up.

Fire; also in Rasta speech, destruction of evil.

Rasta condemnation of wickedness — 'burn it'.

Throw hard.

Throw away.

Lucky / by chance.

Ground provisions — yam, banana, dumpling, potato.

Foolish, silly.

Foot or the whole leg.

Sole of the foot.

Early morning before dawn.

Pay period every two weeks.

Come forward; also 'pull up' a song.

Chicken.

Chicken coop.

Saturday chicken soup with dumplings and provisions.

Afraid.

Friend.

Fresh; also rude or cheeky.

Dress.

Ever since I was born — for a very long time.

For a long time; since long ago.

Smelly, stale, unwashed.

Fried dumpling.

Fried fish.

Fall down.

Gone / went / left.

Go along / go away; carry on.

A womaniser, playboy.

Gangster.

Cannabis.

T-shirt or vest.

Eggplant.

Politically aligned inner-city community.

Gate; also the yard entrance.

Funeral wake ceremony with music (Hanover/Westmoreland).

Poor inner-city community.

Give.

Cheat on a partner.

Give away.

Spinning top.

Old coin (about a penny); a small amount.

Give me.

Give me a break / do me a favour.

Give me a bit extra (when buying).

Fresh ginger.

Small biting fly; also a pest of a person.

A con artist, trickster.

Trickery, con artistry.

Big shot, important person (often mocking).

Tart filled with sweet spiced grated coconut.

Go on; carry on.

Go around; visit.

Go away!

Godmother.

Just like, as soon as.

Christmas Eve night market.

Grandmother.

Grandmother.

Grandfather.

Grater; also a rough board for washing.

Coconut sweet coloured pink and white.

Greedy, especially for food or money.

Inexperienced, naive.

Unripe banana, boiled as a starch.

Suitcase.

A Rastafari gathering with drumming and chanting.

Farm plot, field.

Small dove.

Envious, begrudging.

Small fish, fried.

Go.

Medicinal herb (gully root).

Small green fruit with a sweet, tangy pulp.

Guinness blended with condensed milk and spice.

Drain or ravine; also a poor area by one.

Living by the gully; poor area.

Pigeon peas, used at Christmas for rice and peas.

Pigeon pea soup.

Spell, charm, obeah.

Go on / carry on; also 'going on'.

Behave badly; act up.

Take it easy.

Carry on with; also 'stop that nonsense'.

Girl / young woman.

The girls; a group of women.

Girl child, daughter.

A ladies' man.

Have to, must.

Greet; 'hail up' = send greetings to someone.

Ethiopian emperor revered as God by Rastafari.

Busy transport hub in Kingston.

Hand or the whole arm.

Palm of the hand.

A share in a 'partner' savings scheme.

She / her.

Hard; also stubborn or tough.

Dense, slightly sweet white bread.

Stubborn person.

Hard times; poverty.

Short of money.

Stubborn, disobedient, won't listen.

Push and shove; a struggle; also a famous dancehall song phrase.

Top of the head.

Listen to me.

Listen here.

Beach near Portmore famous for fried fish.

Domestic worker; housekeeper.

Cannabis (in Rasta speech, a sacrament).

Holiday in October honouring heroes and culture.

Smoked herring.

Hibiscus flower.

Market vendor or trader.

Get stuck; also to get a ride.

Small yellow wild plum.

Hold.

Wait / be patient.

Take a shower.

Think deeply, meditate.

Enjoy the moment; relax.

Hang out on the street corner.

Keep it quiet; calm down.

Help me; hold me.

Wait; hold on.

Stay in your lane / be patient.

Hominy corn porridge.

Hungry.

Hot; also popular, exciting; also in trouble.

Strong midday sun.

Heat up; also get angry.

Why.

How do I get to...?

How much is this?

How are you?

How are you? (how have you been)

Being polite costs nothing.

Hungry; poor, without food.

June–November storm season.

Nouveau riche; someone who rose fast and shows off.

Sorry / there there — comforting someone.

Work hard to make money, often informally.

Someone who makes money through various means.

Showing off, especially with clothes or money.

Excited; showing off.

We / me — Rastafari expression of unity with others and God.

Brethren; fellow Rastas.

Trust people with first-hand experience.

If you won't listen to advice, you'll learn the hard way.

Quick-tempered, easily angered (Jamaican usage).

He / him / his — also used for 'she' in deep patois.

Police informer — the worst insult in the streets.

In / into.

At home.

In the morning; tomorrow.

Here; present.

Out and about; part of street life.

Good, nice, pleasant, at peace; also a greeting.

White potato (vs. sweet potato).

Seaweed drink thickened with milk and spice.

Spirit (Rasta 'I' word).

Praises (Rasta).

Is it far?

Natural, unprocessed food, central to Rastafari diet.

Rasta vegetable stew without salt or meat.

Friend / brother — Rasta greeting.

Jack fish.

Phrase ending an Anansi story: 'Jack Mandora, mi nuh choose none'.

Donkey; also a fool.

Huge spiky fruit with sweet yellow pods.

God (in Rastafari).

Police.

The English-lexified creole spoken by most Jamaicans.

Running late; a relaxed approach to punctuality.

Jamaica.

Jamaican-American.

Jamaica (nickname from 'Welcome to Jamrock').

River shrimp/crayfish.

Young green coconut, drunk for its water and jelly.

Spicy grilling style using pimento, scotch bonnet and smoke.

Chicken in jerk seasoning, grilled in a pan drum.

Oil-drum barbecue grill.

Pork marinated and smoked with jerk seasoning.

Joker; someone always joking.

Exclamation of shock.

Turkey vulture; also a worthless or untrustworthy person.

Fried dumpling (originally 'journey cake').

A Christmas street masquerade with costumes, music and dance.

A poker or sharp stick.

Playing records back-to-back to keep the crowd going.

Poke, stab, prick.

Popular sweet mango variety.

Jump; also dance energetically.

Tart green fruit, eaten with salt.

Arnett Gardens, Kingston.

Soon, in a while (not necessarily immediately).

Quarrel, argument, gossip-fuelled conflict.

Keep the change.

Shake, tremble with fear.

Headscarf.

Large tin can used for carrying water or cooking.

Catch; also arrive or reach.

Catch a cold.

Freshen up.

Get a lift.

Catch the vibe; enjoy.

Be cheated on.

Catch fire.

Catch me; meet me.

Light (a fire or stove).

Catch up with.

Make some money; get a break.

Cover.

Make a fuss.

Kill off; destroy.

Achieve two things with one action.

Kingfish (mackerel) steaks.

A Rasta woman's husband or partner.

Keep.

Get out! / Go away!

Mild exclamation of surprise or frustration — safe for most company.

Strong exclamation of shock or anger.

Suck the teeth in disapproval.

Kitchen; also hair at the nape of the neck.

Kite — flown at Easter.

Click beetle with glowing spots.

Greater Antillean grackle — glossy black bird.

Finish work; also steal.

Red, sweet soda.

Companion, crony, close friend.

African-Jamaican religious ritual of drumming and dance.

Fool, simpleton.

Care; 'mi nuh kya' = I don't care.

Calf.

Chatter, idle talk.

Gossip; to gossip.

Land; family land.

Narrow side street.

See you later / goodbye.

See you later.

Lord! — exclamation of shock or exasperation.

Lord have mercy!

Lazy person.

Succulent herb used in folk medicine.

Tilted, crooked.

Leave; left.

Leave it; forget it.

Leftover food.

Unruly or out-of-control person.

Lend me.

Hit, strike; also a blow.

Hit with.

A little bit; tiny.

Bit by bit; small.

Greedy, especially for food.

Greedy, always begging for food; overeager.

Lift.

A ride.

Electricity.

Power cut.

Holding up lighters to salute a song.

Jamaica's national flower and hardwood tree.

Knock down (often with a vehicle).

Little / small.

Small but plentiful.

I may be small, but I'm strong.

See you later (literally 'a little more').

Small child.

A small job, piece of work.

Contact me / meet me.

Meet up, hang out; 'a link' = a contact or casual partner.

Rasta symbol of strength (Lion of Judah).

Live together (unmarried).

Dedication (Rasta wordplay — 'live' not 'dead').

A righteous, natural way of living (Rastafari).

Lizard (many Jamaicans fear them).

Shut down, close; also stop someone.

Lock; also jail.

Dreadlocked hair.

Long story; nonsense; excuses.

A long time; 'long time nuh see'.

Covetous, wanting what others have.

Talkative; a gossip.

Look; also to visit or look for.

Look out; also look after.

Look here!

Lottery.

Romantic man; ladies' man.

Cuddle, show affection.

Romantic reggae style.

Leave it alone; stop it.

Leave me alone.

Ludo board game.

Money for school lunch.

Very thin, skinny.

Thorn, prickle; thorny bush.

Thorny bush.

Salted or tinned mackerel.

Crazy; also amazing (slang).

Revival leader (Mother); also mother.

Mother.

Crazy, wild.

Not speaking to someone because of a grudge.

Non-alcoholic malt soft drink.

The guys; a group of men.

Mandeville, the cool hill town in Manchester.

Goat soup served at celebrations, said to boost men's vigour.

Marbles game.

Jamaican National Hero and Pan-African leader.

Descendants of escaped Africans who won freedom in the mountains.

Step on, crush.

Destroy, wreck.

Destroy, break; also 'very drunk' or 'exhausted'.

Almighty God.

A crowd or a group of fans/followers; one's crew.

The 'other woman', a mistress or rival.

Star apple and orange fruit salad with condensed milk.

Thin stray dog; also an underdog.

Good morning — often said to everyone you pass.

Maybe.

Stingy.

Means that.

Make / let.

Make fun of; also waste.

Let him.

Let it; also make it (succeed).

Joke around.

Let me.

Let me get / can I have.

Make money.

Make noise; complain.

Show off; act fancy.

Make up; also grimace.

Let's.

Make yourself at home.

Jamaica's folk music, before ska.

Sleeveless vest / tank top.

I / me / my.

Could you lend/give me a little money?

I'm coming.

I'm going.

I'm going out.

I'm going to eat.

I'm going to sleep.

My baby; darling.

I cried.

I'm cold.

I'm here for the benefit, not the details.

I'm there / I'll be there.

I'm on it / handling it.

I'm on my way.

I'm with you / I support you.

I'm here / I'm doing OK — the standard reply to wah gwaan.

I'm just relaxing.

I'm here waiting.

I'm here for you.

I did / I had (past tense marker 'did').

I knew it.

I'm fed up.

I should / I'm supposed to.

I'm shocked or scared.

I'm full.

I'm leaving / I'm off.

Term of respect for a friend or someone admired.

I'm glad.

I'm fine.

My heart beats for you.

I miss home.

I'm hungry.

I'm jealous.

I laughed.

I like you.

My contact / casual partner.

My lover.

I love you.

I love you so much.

I miss you.

I'm not lying / honestly.

I don't care / it's not my concern.

I don't care.

I'm not feeling well.

I don't have any money.

I don't know.

I'm not playing / I'm serious.

I'm proud of you.

I say / I tell you.

I'm embarrassed.

I'm sleepy.

I'll be back soon — famously flexible on timing.

I'll be there soon.

I'll arrive soon.

I'm sorry.

I'm stressed.

I'm tired.

I'm thirsty.

I'm angry / upset.

I want you.

Young man (friendly address).

Me alone, by myself.

Look after; also be careful.

Take care of yourself.

Polite way to address a woman, often with her first name.

Montego Bay.

Money matters.

Mongoose, introduced to fight rats.

Clay water jar that keeps water cool.

Wrongdoers eventually get caught.

Children's moonlight game.

'Miracle tree' with nutritious leaves.

Mosquito.

Mouth; also talkativeness.

A talkative person; a gossip.

Corner of the mouth.

Mouth off, talk back rudely.

River mullet.

Mother; also respectful term for an older woman.

Dumb, mute; also stupid.

Mouse.

Must; also 'of course'.

Must be; probably.

Goat meat (often called mutton).

Afro-Jamaican spiritual healing tradition.

Am not / will not (future negative).

Maroon leader and National Hero.

Sapodilla fruit — sweet and brown.

Dreadlocked, natural.

Umbilical cord — traditionally buried under a tree.

The tree planted over a child's buried umbilical cord.

Westmoreland resort famous for its seven-mile beach and Rick's Café.

Neighbour.

Never; also did not (past).

Newcomers bring energy, but experience knows the details.

Kingston business district.

Nice; also tipsy.

Make nice; improve; also enjoy.

Good night (also a greeting after dark).

Wake held over nine nights after a death.

Jamaica's famous 'no problem' attitude.

Nobody.

Pungent fruit used in folk medicine.

Nostril.

Right now, immediately.

Nowhere.

Plenty, a lot, many.

A lot of respect; well done.

Very many.

No / not / don't; also a tag question like 'isn't it?'

Don't insult someone until you no longer depend on them.

Not far.

Shouldn't.

Don't worry.

No problem / you're welcome.

Don't take it that way.

Don't take me for a fool.

Don't go looking for trouble.

Don't worry.

Nothing.

Nothing's happening.

Untidy, sloppy, dirty.

Rastafari drumming, chanting and ceremony.

Eat (especially greedily).

Eat up completely; also to exploit someone.

Eat up.

Food (baby talk); eat.

Folk magic and spiritual practice.

Folk-magic practitioner.

Ocho Rios.

Witch that sucks babies' blood at night (folklore).

Old.

Old flames rekindle easily.

Mother; elderly woman.

Father; boyfriend; elderly man.

A long time ago.

Old-fashioned; traditional.

Unity and goodwill — a farewell or blessing popularised by Bob Marley.

Little by little, things add up — be patient.

Driver, I'm getting off here! (said to taxi/bus drivers)

Immediately, at once; also once.

Only.

Only.

Woman.