Jamaica
sWEAR
WORDS
Learn the Swear words!
Bomboclaat
#1
Damn
One of, if not the most famous Jamaican word. It is said when expressing pretty very any emotion from surprise, to anger, to happiness, to disappointment. A little similar to how the word “damn” can be used in various situations in English. Literal Translation: Buttocks cloth
Suck yuh mada
#2
Fuck your mother
A colloquial insult used to express extreme anger or disrespect towards someone. Similar to saying “fuck your mother” to someone in English. Literal Translation: Suck your mother
Pussyclaat
#3
God dammit
Another way of saying “bomboclaat” however pussyclaat is more tailored to be angry in the moment rather than showing excitement or surprise. For example if you were to stub your toe or drop something you would say "pussyclaat” which is like saying “god dammit” in English. Literal Translation: Pussy cloth
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Battyhole
#4
Asshole
In colloquial use, "battyhole" is often used to insult someone, similar to calling someone an "asshole" in English. It can also be used in a more general offensive Literal Translation: Butt hole
Pussyhole
#5
Dickhead
A step up from “battyhole” because “pussyhole” can be used in the exact same manner. However, typically pussyhole sounds a little more harsher and is usually used when someone is really angry or frustrated. It is similar to calling someone an “asshole” or a “dickhead”. Literal Translation: Pussy hole
Bloodclaat
#6
Bloody hell
A vulgar and strong expletive. It is used to express anger, frustration, or disbelief. It is similar to saying “motherfucker” in American English and like “bloody hell” in British English. Bloosclaat is considered a little harsher to use then “bomboclaat” and “pussyclaat”. Literal Translation: Blood Cloth
Kiss mi rass
#7
Screw you
A colloquial and vulgar expression used to convey strong irritation or frustration towards someone. Similar to saying “kiss my ass” or even “screw you” in English. Literal Translation: Kiss my ass
Bloodseed
#8
Holy shit
Another expression used when either angry or surprised. It is more commonly used to Gen X and Millennials rather than Gen Z. It is still used, but a lot less than “bomboclaat” or “pussyclaat” among Gen Z. It is similar to saying “holy shit” in English. Literal Translation: Blood seed
Rassclaat
#9
God damn
Yet another version of the famous “bomboclaat” but combining the word “rass” which means ass or buttocks and “claat” which means cloth but it’s slang to add emphasis on things. Again this word can be used to to express anger or the strengthen the point as in “shut yuh rassclaat mout” which means “shut your fucking mouth” in English. Literal Translation: Ass cloth
Fuckery
#10
Bullshit
Fuckery is a versitile word to describe nonsense, foolishness, or something ridiculous or absurd. Similar to saying that something is “bullshit” or “shenanigans” in English. Another example of how it’s used is the sentence “yuh fuckery” which is sort of like saying “you talkin bullshit” or even “stop cappin”. Literal Translation: The word “fuck” with the suffix “ery”
tHE
SLANG
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Ypree
#1
What you sayin
Another common expression to ask someone what they are up to, what they are doing, or how they are doing. The phrase can be likened to asking "what you sayin" or "what's going on?" in English. Literal Translation: Ypree
Yard
#2
Jamaica / Home
A colloquial slang word that is used to refer to the actual county of Jamaica. It is commonly used among Jamaicans who are currently in Jamaica at the time of the conversation. Literal Translation: Yard
Zeen
#3
I agree / got it?
In Jamaican Patwa, "zeen" is used colloquially to signify understanding or agreement. It is similar to saying "I understand," "I agree," or "I get it" in English. You can also use it to ask someone if they are following along as well. Similar to saying “got it?” or “capisci”. Literal Translation: Seen
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Yuh zimi
#4
You understand / You got it?
Another casual way of asking someone if they have understood and that they are following along. Commonly put on the end of sentences just like saying “you understand?” or “you got it?” in English. On social media or over text it would be shortened to “yzt”. Literal Translation: You see me
Eeeh
#5
Really / That so?
An expression often used to convey surprise, disbelief, or to seek confirmation, similar to saying "Really?" or "Is that so?" in English. For example "Mi hear seh yuh win di lottery, eeeh?" which would be like saying "I heard you won the lottery, really?". Literal Translation: Eeeh
Big up / Bless up
#6
You da man / Preciate it
Two colloquial expressions when showing respect or gratitude towards someone. Big up can be used also when telling someone that they are better than they think, sort of encouraging them by saying something similar to “you da man”. Bless up is more commonly used when thanking someone for something kinda like saying “preciate it” in English. Literal Translation: Big up / Bless up
Trouble deh deh
#7
Be careful
A colloquial way of warning someone of danger or trouble. It can be used to warn someone about a person, about a situation or even about a certain environment. Similar to telling someone “be careful” or “stay on your toes” in English. Literal Translation: There’s trouble there
Badmind
#8
Hater / Shit disturber
An insult used to describe jealousy, envy, or ill-will towards someone else’s success or good fortune. It is often used to refer to people who harbour negative feelings and may act out of spite or malice due to their envy. Similar to calling someone a “hater” or even a “shit disturber” in English. Literal Translation: Envy
Run a boat
#9
Cook a meal
In colloquial speech this Jamaican expression is translated into “to cook a meal”. A canoe would refer to a smaller meal in between one or two people. A boat is the most common between a family or three to six people. Finally a ship refers to cooking a whole feist for a big group of people. It is more commonly used by generations older than gen Z. Literal Translation: To run a boat
Jah jah starz
#10
Oh no / omg
A colloquial expression used when receiving bad news or witnessing something unfortunate. Similar to the expression “oh no” or even “omg”. For example if someone were to tell you that someone was in a car crash a normal Jamaican response would be “jah jah starz! Dem good?” Literal Translation: Jah jah stars
Hush
#11
There there
In Jamaican Patwa when someone says “hush” they are not telling you to shut up. Instead hush is said when comforting someone similar to saying “there there” in English. However it is used more colloquially and it can be said to someone casually when they tell you something that they are sad, annoyed, or disappointed about. Literal Translation: Hush