a how old yuh deh?
The English phrase "how old are you?" is translated into Jamaican as a how old yuh deh?
This phrase is used to ask someone about their age.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the word yuh is the standard way to say "you".
Did you know?
- The word deh in a how old yuh deh? literally means 'to be in a place' or 'located'. In this context, the language asks where you are in the timeline of your life rather than what your age is.
- In Jamaican culture, asking a how old yuh deh? can be seen as surprisingly blunt or intrusive when addressed to an adult, particularly an elder.
- In Jamaican Patois, the word a often functions as a marker of state or identity, much like 'is' or 'am' in English, rather than a simple article.
Examples in context
- A wha yuh age?What is your age?
- Mi a 25.I am 25.
Example conversation
Tanesha and Ricardo are meeting for the first time at a party.
- TaneshaYuh look young, a how old yuh deh?You look young, how old are you?
- RicardoMi a twenty-two years old.I am twenty-two years old.
- TaneshaReally? Mi thought yuh was older.Really? I thought you were older.
- RicardoPeople always tell mi dat.People always tell me that.
