Welcome to a corner of the internet where island wisdom shines bright!
At Jamaica Lingo, we celebrate the timeless power of Jamaican proverbs—those sweet, witty, and powerful sayings passed down through generations.
Each blog post unpacks the meaning behind our favorite phrases, sharing stories, lessons, and inspiration for life, business, love, and personal growth. Whether you grew up hearing these sayings from your granny or you’re discovering them for the first time, you’ll find encouragement, laughter, and real island heart right here.
Because Jamaican wisdom isn’t just about old-time talk—it’s a guide for living boldly, dreaming big, and walking with purpose every single day.
Small steps, big dreams. Good friends, sweet blessings. Brave hearts, unstoppable spirits. That’s the Jamaica Lingo way.
Grab a cup of tea, take a seat on the verandah, and soak up the sayings that remind us who we are—and who we’re becoming.
Walk good, stay tallawah, and welcome to the journey!
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Wanti Wanti Cyan Getti, Getti Getti No Wanti
The Wisdom of Wanting Less and Appreciating More The Grass Ain’t Always Greener We’ve all done it. Looked across the fence, the screen, or the street and thought, “I wish that was mine.” Maybe it’s the dream car, the promotion,…
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Time Longa Dan Rope
Trusting the Process, Holding the Faith, and Waiting Well “Time longa dan rope,” the elders say. It’s not just a proverb. It’s a balm; a quiet assurance for souls tired of waiting. In English, it means time is longer than…
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Hog Seh ‘Di More Yuh Look, Di Less Yuh See
Looking Isn’t Always Seeing Jamaican proverbs often use animals to deliver sharp social commentary, and “Hog seh ‘di more yuh look, di less yuh see” is no exception. This pig-inspired gem reminds us that appearances can be deceptive, and the more we scrutinize…
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No Mug Nuh Bruk, No Coffee Nuh Dash Weh
Keep Calm and Sip On — When Everything’s Actually Okay The Gentle Genius of This Proverb Some Jamaican proverbs are thunderclaps—bold, direct, and full of fire. But “No mug nuh bruk, no coffee nuh dash wey”is more of a whisper.…
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Tek Kin Teet Kibba Heart Bun
Laughing Through the Pain — A Jamaican Survival Skill A Proverb with Backbone and Belly Laughs There’s a certain kind of strength that doesn’t show up with fists clenched or voices raised. It shows up with a joke cracked in…
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Yuh Cyaan Siddung Pon Cow Back An’ Call It Horse
Truth Can’t Be Faked In classic Jamaican fashion, the proverb “Yuh cyaan siddung pon cow back an’ call it horse” delivers its truth with earthy humor and sharp clarity. No matter what you call it, a cow is not a…
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Fiyah Deh A Mus-Mus Tail, ‘Im Tink A Cool Breeze
Warning: Danger in Disguise Few Jamaican proverbs pack as much poetic irony and real-world relevance as: “Fiyah deh a mus-mus tail, ‘im tink a cool breeze.”It’s a vivid and ominous image—a small marsupial (mus-mus, or mouse) with fire literally at…
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Eye Nuh See. Heart Nuh Leap.
Protecting Your Peace the Jamaican Way The Wisdom Behind the Words There’s a quiet genius in Jamaican proverbs. They don’t just pass down wisdom—they do it with rhythm, humour, and a splash of hard truth. And “Eye nuh see, heart…
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Wah Nuh Dead, Nuh Call It Duppy
You’re Not Done Yet – Resurrecting Hope the Jamaican Way The Power in the Proverb Jamaicans don’t give up easy. And one of the finest examples of this deep-seated resilience is baked right into the proverb: “Wah nuh dead, nuh…
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Han’ Wash Han’ Mek Han’ Come Clean
The Power of Mutual Support The Jamaican proverb “Han’ wash han’ mek han’ come clean” is a shining example of how language reflects a people’s values. At first glance, it’s a simple truth: you need one hand to wash the…
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