Jamaican Patois→English

Translate Jamaican Patois to English the way locals mean it.

Jamaican Patois often uses familiar English words in set phrases whose timing, tone, or intent a textbook reader would miss.

Going the other way? English to Jamaican Patois

474 local dialects

AIRTranslate on iPhone choosing between Jamaican Patois varieties

What locals actually say

Wah gwaan? Mi deh yah.

What's up? I'm doing alright.

'Wah gwaan' is a greeting meaning 'What's up?' and 'mi deh yah' signals that the speaker is around or doing okay, not simply reporting a location.

Mi soon come.

I'll be back later.

'Soon come' is a set promise to return, and 'soon' can be flexible rather than meaning immediately.

Yuh a gwaan like seh mi nuh deh yah.

You're acting like I'm not even here.

'A gwaan like seh' means 'acting as if,' while 'nuh deh yah' means 'not here' or 'not present,' so the full construction expresses reproach rather than movement.

Mi nuh have no money fi lend yuh.

I don't have any money to lend you.

The negative concord construction “nuh have no” is a common Jamaican Patois way to intensify negation, while “fi” marks purpose.

Tek di next left an guh straight.

Take the next left and go straight.

“Di” is the Jamaican Patois definite article, and “guh” is the characteristic verb form for “go.”

Mi belly a grumble, mek wi go nyam.

My stomach is growling, let’s go eat.

“Nyam” is a Jamaican Patois verb meaning “eat,” and “mek wi” signals a suggestion for “let’s.”

Mi sista dem a come fi Christmas.

My sisters are coming for Christmas.

The post-nominal “dem” marks a plural group in Jamaican Patois, while “a come” marks an ongoing action.

Mi cyaan chat now, mi deh pon di job.

I can’t talk now, I’m at work.

“Cyaan” is the Jamaican Patois form of “cannot,” and “deh pon” marks someone’s current location or activity.

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

How Jamaican Patois differs

Jamaican Patois (Cassidy-influenced spelling as commonly written online); wah gwaan greetings; keep it authentic, not caricature.

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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