have
To possess in Jamaican is have.
The word have is used to express possession, meaning to own or hold something.
Meaning: to possess (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, Patois speakers may use av instead of have.
Did you know?
- The word have can function as a marker for the perfect tense without needing a helping verb, as seen in mi have finish, meaning 'I have finished'.
- In some contexts, have is used to indicate that a person is experiencing a specific emotion, such as mi have a fright, meaning 'I am frightened'.
- The absence of the 'h' sound in av is a result of 'h-dropping', a linguistic feature common in many English-based creoles and certain British dialects.
Examples in context
- Mi have fi go a di shop tomorrow.I have to go to the store tomorrow.
- Di man av nuff money.The man has a lot of money.
- Mi own a beautiful house.I have a beautiful house.
- Yuh have enough money fi de bus?Do you have enough money for the bus?
- Dem have plenty food fi di party.They have plenty of food for the party.
Example conversation
Latoya and Damion are looking for a tool in the garage.
- LatoyaDamion, yuh have the hammer?Damion, do you have the hammer?
- DamionNo, mi no have it right now.No, I don't have it right now.
- LatoyaWho have it den?Who has it then?
- DamionMi think Latoya have it.I think Latoya has it.
