hansom
The Jamaican word for handsome is hansom.
In Jamaican, hansom is an adjective used specifically to describe an attractive man. You might also hear the phrase Yu swag tun up to convey that someone looks incredibly stylish and attractive.
Meaning: of man: attractive (adj)
When do people say it?
When someone says Yu swag tun up, they are complimenting a person's style and high level of attractiveness.
Did you know?
- Jamaican Patois often uses 'reduplication' for emphasis, so a man might be called hansom-hansom to indicate he is exceptionally attractive.
- If someone's attractiveness is overwhelming, you might hear him hot, which refers to sexiness rather than physical temperature.
- In Jamaican Patois, the spelling 'hansom' reflects the phonetic way the word is spoken locally, often dropping the soft 'd' sound found in the English 'handsome'.
Examples in context
- Yow, yu a hottah! Gyal dem cyaa stop look pon yu!Hey, you are hot! The girls can't stop looking at you!
- Mi love when mi see you inna di country! Yu look extra handsome deh!I love seeing you in the countryside! You look extra handsome there!
- Yow mi man, yu come a di dance and tek weh all a di gyal dem heart! Yu really noice!Hey man, you came to the party and stole all the girls' hearts! You are really handsome!
Example conversation
Shanti is complimenting Kevon on his appearance.
- ShantiKevon, yuh look real hansom today!Kevon, you look really handsome today!
- KevonThanks, Shanti. Mi just cut mi hair.Thanks, Shanti. I just cut my hair.
- ShantiDi new style suit yuh well.The new style suits you well.
- KevonMi appreciate dat, man.I appreciate that.
