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Jamaican Patois 101
A short introduction to the language and how it is commonly written.
What is Jamaican Patois?
Jamaican Patois, also commonly called Patwa or Patwah, is a Jamaican Creole language spoken in Jamaica and by Jamaican communities around the world.
Much of its vocabulary comes from English, but its pronunciation, grammar and expressions developed in Jamaica through a long history of cultural and linguistic contact.
It is primarily a spoken language
You'll see Jamaican Patois written in many different ways. Unlike languages with a single standardized spelling system used everywhere, everyday Patois writing can vary from person to person.
Tip: Don't worry if you encounter a familiar word spelled differently. Listen for the meaning and context.
Start with a few common words
mi
I / me / my
I / me / my
yuh
you / your
you / your
wah
what
what
weh
where / what
where / what
nuh
not / don't / no
not / don't / no
fi
to / for
to / for
Build a sentence
Mi love yuh.
I love you.
Mi nuh know.
I don't know.
Weh yuh goin?
Where are you going?
Keep exploring
Once you know a few words, explore the phrasebook and word list. Jamaican Patois is best appreciated in context, so pay attention to how words work together in expressions.