wah gwaan
/ˈwɑː ˈɡwɑ̃/
In Jamaican, "sup" is translated as wah gwaan.
The phrase is an informal greeting used to ask someone how they are or what is happening.
What does it mean word for word?
wah gwaan is a contraction of "what is going on".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
wah gwaan is an informal greeting used among friends and within the community.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Kingston, locals may use Wah gwaan? as an informal greeting.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈwɑː ˈɡwɑ̃/
When do people say it?
When someone greets you with wah gwaan, a common response is mi deh yah, which literally means "I am here" and functions as "I'm doing okay". Another common response is everything criss, meaning everything is good or fine.
Did you know?
- Depending on the intonation, wah gwaan can be a casual 'hello' or a sharp, accusatory 'what is happening here?' if someone is in trouble.
- In some contexts, the response mi deh yah can imply a sense of resilience or endurance, suggesting that the speaker is surviving despite hardships.
- If you use wah gwaan in a very formal setting, such as with an elder or a professional, it may be seen as overly familiar or even disrespectful.
Examples in context
- Wah gwaan, mi bredda?Sup, my brother?
- Wah gwaan, everything irie?Sup, is everything good?
- Hey, wah gwaan wid di party?Hey, sup with the party?
Example conversation
Kevon and Shanti run into each other on the street.
- KevonWah gwaan, Shanti?Sup, Shanti?
- ShantiNuh nuttin, just a walk.Nothing, just walking.
- KevonYuh look good today.You look good today.
- ShantiRespect, Kevon.Respect, Kevon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry wah gwaan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
