20 Easy Jamaican Patois Words to Teach Your Kids

Bringing the Warmth of the Caribbean into Your Home

Wah gwaan, family! If you have ever listened to your Caribbean elders share stories on the verandah, you know that our words carry rhythm, warmth, and history. Whether you grew up in Kingston, London, New York, or Toronto, passing down our vibrant culture to our little ones is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. A wonderful place to start is with language.

Introducing your children to Jamaican Patois words is more than just a fun vocabulary lesson; it is a celebration of Caribbean heritage, storytelling, and identity. Jamaican Patois (or Patwa) is an English-lexified creole language with deep roots in West African languages, shaped by centuries of resilience and creativity. Teaching your children these everyday expressions helps them connect with grandparents, understand reggae music, and stand tall in who they are.

Ready to start? Here are 20 easy, kid-friendly Jamaican Patois words that your family can start practicing around the house today!

Everyday Greetings & Friendly Sayings

1. Wah Gwaan

Pronunciation: Wah gwan
Meaning: What’s going on? / How are you?
How to use it with kids: Replace your usual morning “good morning” with a cheerful “Wah gwaan!” It is the ultimate Caribbean icebreaker that instantly brings a smile.

2. Irie

Pronunciation: Eye-ree
Meaning: Everything is good, peaceful, and alright.
How to use it with kids: When asking how their school day was or if they like their lunch, encourage them to answer: “Everything irie, Mommy!”

3. Walk Good

Pronunciation: Wahk good
Meaning: Safe travels, take care, or go safely.
How to use it with kids: Say “Walk good!” as they head out the front door for school or soccer practice instead of a plain “goodbye.”

4. Mi Deh Yah

Pronunciation: Mee deh yah
Meaning: I am here (doing well / surviving).
How to use it with kids: When playing hide-and-seek, or when they call out to find out where you are in the house, reply: “Mi deh yah!”

5. Inna Di Morrows

Pronunciation: In-na dee morr-ohs
Meaning: See you tomorrow.
How to use it with kids: Use this as a cozy bedtime sign-off: “Goodnight, sweet pea, inna di morrows!”

Family & Affection

6. Pickney

Pronunciation: Pick-nee
Meaning: Child or children.
How to use it with kids: Remind them lovingly: “You are my favourite likkle pickney!” It traces back to Portuguese and West African origins used across the Caribbean.

7. Likkle

Pronunciation: Lick-ul
Meaning: Little or small.
How to use it with kids: Point out small things around your living room: “Look at that likkle puppy!”

8. Boonoonoonoos

Pronunciation: Boo-noo-noo-noos
Meaning: Sweetheart, darling, or someone special.
How to use it with kids: Give them a warm bedtime hug and whisper: “Sleep tight, mi boonoonoonoos.” It is one of the most endearing terms of affection in Jamaica.

9. Bredren

Pronunciation: Bred-ren
Meaning: Brother, close friend, or pal.
How to use it with kids: Refer to their best friends or playmates: “Are you sharing your crayons with your bredren?”

10. Hush

Pronunciation: Hush
Meaning: A gentle expression of sympathy, like “there, there” or “I am so sorry.”
How to use it with kids: Unlike the standard English command to “be quiet,” Caribbean aunties say “Hush” to soothe a child who bumped their knee. It conveys pure comfort and compassion.

Food & Everyday Action Words

11. Nyam

Pronunciation: N-yahm
Meaning: To eat heartily.
How to use it with kids: When dinnertime rolls around: “Come wash your hands, time to nyam some plantain and rice!”

12. Brawta

Pronunciation: Braw-tah
Meaning: A bonus, an extra treat, or a baker’s dozen.
How to use it with kids: If they clean up their toys without being asked, surprise them: “Because you helped so nicely, here is a brawta cookie!”

13. Dutty

Pronunciation: Duh-tee
Meaning: Dirty or muddy.
How to use it with kids: After an afternoon splashing in garden puddles: “Take off those dutty shoes outside!”

14. Jammin

Pronunciation: Jam-min
Meaning: Having fun, dancing, or relaxing.
How to use it with kids: Put on some upbeat calypso or reggae in the kitchen: “Look at us jammin while we bake!”

15. Soon Come

Pronunciation: Soon cum
Meaning: On the way or coming soon (often used with relaxed island time!).
How to use it with kids: When they ask how soon you will leave for the park: “Put your shoes on, we soon come!”

Expressions, Style & Big Energy

16. Big Up

Pronunciation: Big up
Meaning: Congratulations, praise, or acknowledgment.
How to use it with kids: Celebrate their accomplishments: “Big up yourself for getting an A on your spelling test!”

17. Criss

Pronunciation: Kriss
Meaning: Sharp, stylish, cool, or looking great.
How to use it with kids: Compliment their Sunday outfit or back-to-school clothes: “Look at your criss sneakers today!”

18. Facety

Pronunciation: Face-tee
Meaning: Sassy, cheeky, or slightly cheeky-mannered.
How to use it with kids: When they test boundaries with a cheeky grin: “Don’t be facety with Mommy, hear?”

19. Bashment

Pronunciation: Bash-ment
Meaning: An exciting celebration, party, or energetic event.
How to use it with kids: Get them excited for family gatherings: “Your cousin’s birthday is going to be a real bashment!”

20. Riddim

Pronunciation: Rid-dim
Meaning: Rhythm or musical beat.
How to use it with kids: Clapping games or dancing: “Can you feel di riddim with your feet?”

Actionable Tips to Practice Patois Together as a Family

Learning language is like planting a seed: it needs regular water and sunlight to grow strong. Here are three simple, joyful ways you can weave these Jamaican Patois words into your daily parenting routines:

• Introduce a “Word of the Week”: Write one Patois word on a chalkboard or sticky note on the fridge. Encourage everyone in the household to use it three times throughout the day.
• Incorporate Words into Mealtime & Bedtime: Meals and bedtime routines are deeply emotional moments for kids. Using tender phrases like boonoonoonoos or mealtime favorites like nyam creates comforting associations with Caribbean culture.
• Pair Words with Caribbean Music and Rhymes: Put on classic reggae, ska, or mento music on weekends. Ask your kids to listen out for words like irie, riddim, or big up.

Celebrate Heritage with Likkle Legends

Embracing Caribbean linguistics teaches our children that their cultural dialect is not broken English—it is a brilliant, expressive language filled with soul and resilience. When our little legends learn these words, they carry their ancestors’ stories into the future with pride.

Want more fun ways to bring Caribbean storytelling, language, and history to your home? Explore Likkle Legends for engaging children’s books, printable activity packs, and cultural learning resources crafted specially for Caribbean families worldwide!