debil
The English word "devil" is translated to Jamaican as debil.
debil refers to an evil creature. A related term, Debbilman, is derived from the phrase "devil man" and is used playfully to describe someone who is up to no good.
Meaning: evil creature (noun)
Did you know?
- In certain Jamaican dialects, 'debil' is used as an intensifier similar to the English word 'damn', such as in 'debil hot' to mean 'very hot'.
- A person described as debil might be seen as possessing 'duppy' qualities, referring to the restless spirits of the dead in Jamaican folklore.
- In many Jamaican-influenced spiritual traditions, the concept of 'debil' is often treated as a psychological state of waywardness rather than a physical entity with horns and a tail.
Examples in context
- Mi noh want no debil near mi.I don't want any devil near me.
- Dat ting look like a debil.That thing looks like a devil.
Example conversation
Tanesha and Andre are walking through a dark forest at night.
- TaneshaAndre, mi feel like a debil deh near.Andre, I feel like a devil is near.
- AndreNuh mek di fear tek yuh, Tanesha.Don't let the fear take you, Tanesha.
- TaneshaBut di noise sound like a debil.But the noise sounds like a devil.
- AndreA just a animal, nuh debil.It is just an animal, not a devil.
