Wah gwaan?
In Jamaican, the phrase for "how are you doing?" is Wah gwaan?
Wah gwaan? is used as a casual greeting to ask someone what is happening or what is going on. You may also hear Weh yuh seh? to mean "What's up?" or "What's going on?"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Wah gwaan? literally translates to "What is going on?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Wah gwaan? is an informal greeting and is not suitable for formal or professional settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Kingston, you might hear Wha gwaan? or Weh yuh a seh? more frequently. In Montego Bay, the informal phrase Weh yaa seh? is commonly used to ask someone how they're doing.
When do people say it?
When someone asks Wah gwaan?, a common response is Mi deh yah, which literally means "I am here" but functions as "I am doing well" or "I am alright." Another common way to respond is to say Everything criss to indicate that everything is fine or good.
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone and rhythm, Wah gwaan? can shift from a friendly greeting to a confrontational question meaning 'What is the problem here?'
- In some social contexts, Wah gwaan? may be accompanied by a specific 'fist bump' or a chin flick as a non-verbal greeting.
- The response Mi deh yah suggests a sense of resilience, implying 'I am still here' despite any life challenges.
Examples in context
- Wah gwaan? Everything cool?How are you doing? Is everything cool?
