Patois Translator - English to Jamaican Patwa
Translate common English to Jamaican Patois (Patwa): wha gwaan, irie, bredren, criss.
Substitute common English with Jamaican Patois (Patwa): wha gwaan, irie, bredren, criss.
How to Use Patois Translator
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Type common English text.
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Get Jamaican Patois equivalents for ~25 high-frequency words.
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Use for learning, reggae/music context, Jamaican friends.
About Patois Translator
Translate English to Jamaican Patois (Patwah). We substitute common English with authentic Patois vocabulary: wha gwaan (what's up), irie (okay/good), bredren (friend), bless (good), criss (cool). Covers greetings, feelings, common verbs. For learners, reggae/dancehall context, and Jamaican diaspora communication.
Built by
Fateh Raiyan IshmumFull-stack dev since 2020. Full-stack web developer since 2020. Builds privacy-first, open-web tools. Specialises in Next.js, TypeScript, and performance-focused design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Patois (also spelled Patwa or Patwah) is the English-based creole language spoken in Jamaica. It evolved from 17th-century English contact with West African languages during the slave trade. It's the first language of most Jamaicans, alongside Standard English.
No. Jamaican English is standard English with a Jamaican accent. Patois is a distinct creole with its own grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. The two exist on a spectrum - most Jamaicans switch between them based on context.
It literally means 'what's going on'. The word 'gwaan' is the Patois pronunciation of 'going on'. Equivalent to 'what's up' in American English.
Related but distinct. Rastafarian (Rasta) speech adds vocabulary like 'overstand' (understand), 'I and I' (we), and Bible-influenced terms. Patois is the broader Jamaican creole; Rasta is a religious dialect of it.
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