Jamaican patois is rhythm and poetry fused into everyday speech. Born from African, English, and Spanish roots, it's the language of reggae, dancehall, and a culture that changed the world's vocabulary forever.
Irie
Everything is good, everything is cool, everything is in harmony. It's more than just "fine", it's a state of being where the vibes are right and the world feels balanced.
Nyam
To eat, and to eat well. It's got more flavour than "eat", when you nyam, you're properly getting stuck in. It comes from West African languages and it sounds exactly like what it means.
Bruk
Broke, broken, smashed. Can mean you've got no money or that something's physically busted. Either way, things aren't looking great when bruk enters the conversation.
Likkle
Little, small. But in Jamaican patois, "likkle" carries warmth, "likkle more" means "see you later" and it's one of the most charming goodbyes in any language.
Wah gwaan
What's going on? What's up? The classic Jamaican greeting that's warm, casual, and immediately sets a friendly tone. It's not just asking a question, it's opening a conversation with love.
Dutty
Dirty, but with swagger. In dancehall culture, "dutty" can be a compliment about someone's raw, gritty style. Context is everything, it's either filthy or fire.
Bless up
A greeting or farewell that wishes someone well. It's warm, spiritual, and real, carrying the weight of actually wanting good things for the other person. More than "take care."
Buckle
To stumble or trip, or to bend/fold under pressure. When you buckle, you lose your footing literally or figuratively. It's that moment when gravity or life catches up with you.
Bloodclaat
A very strong Jamaican expletive that can express shock, anger, or amazement. It's the nuclear option of Jamaican swearing, use with extreme caution and only if you really know the vibe.