English→Jamaican Standard English

Translate English to Jamaican Standard English like a local.

It sounds like Jamaican Standard English through British spelling, with familiar local expressions such as “wah gwaan”, “soon come” and “irie” in casual speech.

Going the other way? Jamaican Standard English to English

474 local dialects

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What locals actually say

What’s going on?

Wah gwaan?

“Wah gwaan” is Jamaica’s everyday casual greeting, used instead of the more neutral question about what is happening.

I’ll be there shortly.

Soon come.

“Soon come” means the person will arrive later or shortly, though it can leave the exact timing pleasantly open.

Everything is fine.

Irie.

“Irie” describes a peaceful, good or satisfactory state and is commonly used as a relaxed reply.

I am short of bus fare.

I am short of bus fare, seen.

The sentence-final word “seen” is a Jamaican discourse marker that signals acknowledgement or shared understanding.

The clinic is near the square.

The clinic is round by the square.

“Round by” is a Jamaican English location phrase meaning nearby or in the vicinity.

Could you pass me some more rice and peas?

Pass me some more rice and peas, nuh.

The sentence-final “nuh” softens a request and gives it a familiar, friendly Jamaican tone.

My older sister is coming to visit.

My big sister is coming to visit.

“Big sister” is commonly used in Jamaican English for an older sister, rather than referring to her physical size.

It is very hot today.

It is very hot today, yes.

A sentence-final “yes” adds emphasis or confirmation, a characteristic feature of informal Jamaican English.

Notes like these come with every AIRTranslate translation, so you learn why locals phrase it that way as you go.

How Jamaican Standard English differs

Jamaican Standard English. British spelling; local expressions in casual register (soon come, wah gwaan as a greeting, irie) — do not slide into full Patois unless the source is clearly that informal.

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Every one of 474 dialects, with voice, camera, a keyboard for any app, and offline packs.

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Localization Notes explaining why locals say it that way