“Suh di ting set”
This could be translated in English to say, “That’s just how it goes” or “That’s how things are.”
Jamaican Dialog: Babes mi know seh mi wrong fi cheat pon yuh enuh, but a just suh di ting set. One gyal alone cyah satisfy mi.
English Translation: Baby I know I’m wrong for cheating on you, but that’s just how it goes. One girl alone cannot satisfy me.
“Yuh chat to much”
This simply means “You talk too much”. It’s usually said in a disrespectful manner to a person who likes to gossip or to an annoying person.
Jamaican Dialog: Yuh cyah kip yuh mouth to yuself? Yuh chat to much man.
English Translation: Can’t you keep your thoughts to yourself? You talk too much.
“Mi nuh ina nuh dealinz wid yuh”
This could mean “I have nothing to do with you” or “I’m in no mood to talk to you”. It’s usually used when a person is not on speaking terms with their partner.
Jamaican Dialog: Stop call dung mi phone. Mi nuh ina nuh dealinz wid yuh right ya now.
English Translation: Stop calling off my phone. I’m in no mood to talk to you right now.
“Koo pah you”
This means “Look at you.” This is a phrase that is mostly, not always, used in a disrespectful manner.
Jamaican Dialog: Koo pah you. Deh yasuh a debate bout which artist have di most money. How much money you have?
English Translation: Look at you. Here debating about which artist has the most money. How much money do you have?
“Yuh jus a mek a bagga noise man”
This can be translated as “You’re just making a bag of noise.” or “You’re just talking a load of crap.” Meaning a person is talking a lot, but not saying anything of substance or making any action to back up their talk.
Jamaican Dialog: Tump who ina dem face?? Yuh jus a mek a bagga noise man. Yuh life musi a scratch yuh.
English Translation: You’re going to punch who in their face?? You’re just talking a load of crap. It seems you have a death wish.
“Di ting set a way”
This means “Things are really bad.”
Jamaican Dialog: Jah know, di ting set a way enuh. Mi hungry an cyah even find 5 bills fi buy a box food ya now.
English Translation: God knows, things are really bad. I’m hungry and can’t find even a $500JMD to buy a box food right now.
Street Slangs
“Fully guzu up/dung”
This means fully protected by Obeah/black magic. This slang is mainly used by criminals. A few modern dancehall artists also use this slang as well.
Jamaican Dialog: Mi fully guzu up dawg. Di police bwoy dem try offa mi last night but dem gun stick. A suh mi get weh.
English Translation: I’m fully protected by witchcraft bro. The police came after me last night but their guns jammed. That’s how I got away.
“Nawmal a lie”
This could be translated as “This is norm. Am I lying?” Meaning that this lifestyle or action is the norm.
Jamaican Dialog: 5 gyal a day. A suh di killa work. Nawmal a lie
English Translation: 5 girls a day. That’s how the boss rolls. This is the norm. Am I lying?
“You know di badness guh”
This is similar to saying “You know how it goes in the gangster world”
Jamaican Dialog: Yow mi g. Mi ago wah 1 a dem thousand dalla shirt deh enuh, but a 350 mi have, yuzeet. You know di badness guh.
English Translation: Yo. I need one of those $1000 shirts, but I will only pay you $350. You know how it goes in the gangster world, so you better accept.
“A wi a run e grung”
This slang is mainly used by dancehall artists. It means “I am running the place” or “I am the hot topic right now.”
Jamaican Dialog: Dem bwoy deh anuh nuh body dawg. A wi a run e grung.
English Translation: Those guys are irrelevant bro. I am the hot topic right now.
“Chop e line”
This is a term used by scammers. It means to scam someone via phone call.
Jamaican Dialog: Dawg, a 1 month now mi a chop e line an mi buy 3 BMW already. Yuh know how long my father a work 9-5 an cyah even buy a bicycle?
English Translation: Bro, I started scamming on the phone 1 month now, and I’ve already bought 3 BMW. You know how long my father has been working a job and can’t even afford a bicycle?