Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| jamaicano | /xamaiˈkano/ |
| jamaiquino | /xamaiˈkino/ |
Both forms are used as adjectives meaning of, from or pertaining to Jamaica, the Jamaican people or the Jamaican language. You can use these words to describe various things, such as comida jamaicana (Jamaican food), gastronomía jamaicana (Jamaican cuisine), patois jamaicano (Jamaican Patois) or criollo jamaicano (Jamaican Creole). Additionally, these words function as nouns to refer to a person of Jamaican descent.
Which one should you use?
jamaicano is the most common way to refer to things or people from Jamaica. jamaiquino is a valid alternative often used in specific Spanish-speaking regions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
jamaiquino is used in specific Spanish-speaking regions.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of jamaicano is jamaicana, and its masculine plural is jamaicanos. The feminine form of jamaiquino is jamaiquina, and its masculine plural is jamaiquinos.
How do you pronounce it?
/xamaiˈkano/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word Jamaica also refers to a popular hibiscus flower tea, often called agua de Jamaica, which is common across Mexico and Central America.
- The name of the island itself, and thus its adjectives, is a Spanish evolution of the Taíno word Xaymaca, meaning 'land of wood and water'.
- Spanish uses two different suffixes, -ano and -ino, to create the words jamaicano and jamaiquino. While many nationalities use only one, some Spanish speakers switch between these two forms based on regional preference.
Examples in context
- Él es un jamaicano talentoso.He is a talented Jamaican.
- La cultura jamaicana es muy rica.Jamaican culture is very rich.
- La embajadora jamaicana llegará pronto.The Jamaican ambassador will arrive soon.
- Ese cantante es bien jamaiquino.That singer is really Jamaican.
- ¡Vamos a la fiesta jamaiquina esta noche!Let's go to the Jamaican party tonight!
- ¡La música de Bob Marley es auténticamente jamaiquina!Bob Marley's music is authentically Jamaican!
- El patois jamaicano es increíblemente interesante.Jamaican Patois is incredibly interesting.
- El pollo jerk es uno de los platos más populares de la comida jamaicana.Jerk chicken is one of the most popular dishes in Jamaican cuisine.
- Él es un estudiante jamaicano.He is a Jamaican student.
Example conversation
María and Javier are talking about their favorite vacation spots.
- MaríaFui a una playa en el Caribe.I went to a beach in the Caribbean.
- Javier¡Qué bien! ¿Tuviste un guía jamaicano?How great! Did you have a Jamaican guide?
- MaríaSí, él conocía todos los lugares.Yes, he knew all the places.
- JavierMe gustaría visitar esa isla algún día.I would like to visit that island someday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jamaican” translations and entries jamaicano, jamaiquino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries jamaicano, jamaiquino, CC BY-SA 4.0.
