no
The English phrase 'no' is translated into Jamaican as no.
The word no is used as a particle to show disagreement or negation.
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Which one should you use?
While no can stand alone as a response, the unstressed particle nuh is used within sentences to negate verbs.
How does it change in a sentence?
The unstressed particle nuh is used inside sentences to negate verbs, such as in the phrase mi nuh know.
When do people say it?
The phrase Mi nuh feel like it is an informal way to express that you do not feel like doing something.
Did you know?
- While the English 'no' is a particle, in Jamaican Patois, the word nuh can act as a question tag similar to 'isn't it' or 'right'.
- In Jamaican culture, a sharp, short no can sometimes be perceived as more confrontational than the English equivalent due to different cultural norms regarding directness.
- Jamaican Patois often uses double negatives for emphasis, where no or nuh is paired with another negative word to make the denial stronger.
Examples in context
- No, mi nuh hab it.No, I don't have it.This sentence shows how to use no in a response.Tatoeba #5712235 by Kyle, translation #1016240 by Brian255
- Yuh waan go a di party tonight?Do you want to go to the party tonight?
- Nah man, mi good. Mi just waan relax.No, thanks. I just want to relax.
- Yuh waan more food?Do you want more food?
- Mi nuh feel like it right now, but it was delicious!I don't feel like it right now, but it was delicious!
- No, mi nuh deh yah.No, I am not here.
- No, mi nuh want it.No, I don't want it.
- No, dat nuh true.No, that is not true.
Example conversation
Ricardo and Latoya are talking in the kitchen.
- RicardoLatoya, yuh deh hungry?Latoya, are you hungry?
- LatoyaNo, mi full.No, I am full.
- RicardoYuh wah some water den?Do you want some water then?
- LatoyaNo, mi good, thanks.No, I am fine, thanks.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
