Language/Jamaican-creole-english/Vocabulary/Colors
Hi Jamaican Creole English learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn the Jamaican Creole English vocabulary for colors. Knowing the colors is a fundamental vocabulary to learn in any language, and it's useful in daily conversation. So, let's begin our colorful journey. 🎨🌈
Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: Days of the Week & Animals.
Basic Colors[edit | edit source]
Let's start with some basic colors:
| Jamaican Creole English | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| blu | bloo | blue |
| grīn | green | green |
| red | red | red |
| yelo | yellow | yellow |
| brawn | brahn | brown |
| pīnk | pink | pink |
| purpl | pur-pul | purple |
| orinj | or-inge | orange |
| black | blak | black |
| wait | whait | white |
Note: Jamaican Creole English has many dialects, and the pronunciation can vary in different regions.
Dialogue:
- Person 1: A mi ave wan blu shat. (I have a blue shirt.)
- Person 2: Wa di kolor a yu pans? (What color are your pants?)
- Person 1: Dem blak an wait. (They're black and white.)
Intermediate Colors[edit | edit source]
Now, let's learn intermediate colors:
| Jamaican Creole English | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| līm | leem | lime |
| maaroŋ | mah-rohng | maroon |
| maav | maw-v | mauve |
| tōrkwaiz | turk-waaz | turquoise |
| kingkrīj | king-kray | khaki |
| olīv | aw-leev | olive |
Fun fact: The word "khaki" comes from the Hindi and Urdu language, and it means "dust-colored." The British army introduced khaki uniforms in the 19th century, and it became popular worldwide.
Dialogue:
- Person 1: A si yu a waer di maaroŋ sket a dei. (I saw you wearing the maroon skirt yesterday.)
- Person 2: Yes, a lov it! It mek mi feel so klassi. (Yes, I love it! It makes me feel so classy.)
- Person 1: Wa bout yu tōrkwaiz drēs? (What about your turquoise dress?)
- Person 2: A no waer it in a lang taim. Mi waan fain di rait okaʊnt aksiden. (I haven't worn it in a long time. I want to find the right occasion accidentally.) 😂
Shades of Colors[edit | edit source]
Colors come in many shades, and here are some examples:
| Jamaican Creole English | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| fyuksia | fyoo-ksee-ya | fuchsia |
| bēj | bey | beige |
| gree-gree | gree-gree | gray |
| hazul | hay-zuhl | hazel |
| indi-gō | in-dee-goh | indigo |
| lavenda | la-ven-da | lavender |
| mahògani | mah-ho-gah-nee | mahogany |
| róz | rohz | rose |
| silva | sil-vuh | silver |
| gōld | goold | gold |
| brik | brik | brick red |
| terakuata | teh-rah-koo-waht-ah | terra cotta |
Fun fact: Fuchsia is named after the vibrant color of the flower Fuchsia plant.
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Yuh si wa di gōld sneeka dem yu get fram di stoa? (Did you see the gold sneakers you got from the store?)
- Person 2: Yes! Dem taim badad! (Yes! They're time-badad!)
- Person 1: A wa di kolor a yu nex rooŋ? (What color is your next room?)
- Person 2: A waan fi paiŋt it silva. (I want to paint it silver.)
Colors in Jamaican Proverbs[edit | edit source]
Colors play an essential role in Jamaican proverbs. Here are some examples:
| Jamaican Creole English | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Ooman tek kin e piekni, but she naah ek it red. | Woman takes care of her complexion, but she doesn't make it red. |
| Du prapa no mek kak kech yu I. | Do preparation well; don't let trouble catch you eye (red eye). |
| Nao oil nuo waata. | To compare water with oil (red oil) - comparing two things that are not comparable. |
Fun fact: Jamaican proverbs reflect the culture, history, and beliefs of the Jamaican people.
Dialogue:
- Person 1: Dem se a sekkret babkahrat, but a sehn seklek di red eye. (They say it's a secret back route, but I saw them select the red-eye.)
- Person 2: Yuh betta da seklek, das why we get naff tiŋ dem quicker dan dem. (You better select that's why we get things faster than them.)
- Person 1: Saʊ mi fi dedaad di presha pan mi. (How I'm supposed to deal with the pressure on me?)
- Person 2: Remeber se nao oil nuo waata. (Remember, to compare water with oil (red oil) - comparing two things that are not comparable.)
That's it for our lesson on Jamaican Creole English vocabulary for colors. To improve your Jamaican Creole English vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.