Language/Jamaican-creole-english/Vocabulary/Fruits
Hi Jamaican Creole English learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn fruits vocabulary in Jamaican Creole English. Did you know that Jamaica is famous for its variety of exotic fruits? Pineapple, mango, papaya, banana, and coconut are some of the most popular. The rich soil and warm climate of Jamaica make it a perfect place for growing fruits. So, let's learn some new vocabulary and discover more about Jamaican culture.
Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Health & Days of the Week.
Fruits[edit | edit source]
Jamaican Creole English has unique words for many fruits. Jamaicans love to eat fruits as snacks or as an ingredient in their meals. Here are some of the most commonly used words for fruits in Jamaican Creole English:
| Jamaican Creole English | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| mango | mangu | Mango |
| pawpaw | pa-pa | Papaya |
| guinep | gi-nep | Spanish Lime |
| soursop | sor-sop | Soursop |
| otaheite apple | o-ta-heet ap-pl | Otaheite Apple |
| ackee | a-kee | Ackee |
| pineapple | pi-na-pl | Pineapple |
| breadfruit | bred-frut | Breadfruit |
| star apple | star ap-pl | Star Apple |
| banana | ba-na-na | Banana |
| plantain | plan-tain | Plantain |
| jackfruit | jak-frut | Jackfruit |
| tamarind | tam-a-rin | Tamarind |
Using Fruits Vocabulary in Sentences[edit | edit source]
To help you understand how to use fruits vocabulary in Jamaican Creole English sentences, here's an example conversation between two friends:
- Person 1: "Yow, yuh can pass mi di ackee?" (Hey, can you pass me the ackee?)
- Person 2: "Yeah man, eggnog and ackee mi mek fi breakfast." (Yes, man, I made eggnog and ackee for breakfast.)
As you can see from the example above, fruits are commonly used in Jamaican meals, such as ackee and saltfish, which is the national dish of Jamaica. In Jamaica, fruits are also used to make drinks such as sorrel, which is a Christmas drink made with sorrel and ginger.
Fun Facts[edit | edit source]
- Jamaica is home to over 20 types of bananas, including the green banana, which is used in savory dishes such as banana fritters. - Pineapple is not native to Jamaica, but it was introduced in the 18th century by Spanish settlers. - The ackee fruit is poisonous when it's not ripe. It can only be eaten safely when it's cooked and opened properly. - Jamaica is the largest producer of ackee in the world, exporting it to other countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
To improve your Jamaican Creole English Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!