How to say “Hello” in Jamaican Patois
The most common way to say “hello” in Jamaican Patois. Tap to copy or hear it pronounced.
Wah gwaan
In a sentence
English
Hello, how are you?
Jamaican Patois
Wah gwaan, How yuh stay?
Frequently asked
How do you say "Hello" in Jamaican Patois?
"Hello" in Jamaican Patois is "Wah gwaan". This is the most common everyday rendering; depending on context, formal/informal or dialectal variants may apply.
How is "Wah gwaan" written in Jamaican Patois?
"Wah gwaan" is the standard written form in Jamaican Patois, rendered left-to-right.
How do you pronounce "Wah gwaan" in Jamaican Patois?
Tap the speaker icon on this page to hear "Wah gwaan" pronounced by a native-style synthetic voice. For practice, repeat the phrase out loud immediately after listening — the rhythm and stress are usually what trips learners up, not the individual sounds.
What does "Wah gwaan" mean in English?
"Wah gwaan" is the Jamaican Patois way of saying "Hello" in English. It's used in everyday conversation in roughly the same situations as the English original.
Are there formal or informal ways to say "Hello" in Jamaican Patois?
Many languages — including Jamaican Patois — distinguish formal and informal registers, and may also vary by speaker gender, plurality, or regional dialect. "Wah gwaan" is the most broadly understood form; for register-specific variants, use the full translator above with your exact sentence.
Where is Jamaican Patois spoken?
Jamaican Patois is spoken by an estimated 3 million people worldwide. Use the language page to translate full text and explore where the language is used.
Is there a free Jamaican Patois dictionary?
Yes — Polytranslator provides a free Jamaican Patois dictionary with word-by-word translations and example usage. Click the dictionary link on this page to look up individual words from "Wah gwaan" or any other Jamaican Patois text.