Speak Bajan: 15 Fun Phrases To Use In Barbados

Famous for its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and, of course, as the birthplace of rum and Rihanna, Barbados isn’t just a gorgeous tropical stop — it’s a place packed with humour, quick wit, and plenty of stories to tell.

Want to fit in and make locals smile? Brush up on a few Bajan slang phrases before your trip. From inviting someone for a drink to reacting with surprise at the size of your dinner plate, here are 15 Bajan expressions to get you talking like a local — the accent is up to you to master!

Wuh gine on? What's going on? / How are you?

“Wuh gine on?” you ask your friend as they walk in with a load of shopping bags — clearly up to something!

Lime / liming: Hang out / chill / relax — you will spend much of your trip "liming" on the beach or at a rum shop.
“You going to lime later?” Expect lots of laughs, rum, and maybe a spontaneous dance-off.

Wuh part you is? Where are you?

“Wuh part you is? You late liming again?” Perfect for tracking down friends at a crowded rum shop.

Cheese on bread! — Wow! / No way!
You just saw your dinner portion and exclaimed, “Cheese on bread!” — that plate is massive!

Fuh true? — Are you telling the truth?
Friend: “Rihanna just walked past.”
You: “Fuh true?!”

Wunna — You all / everyone
“Wunna ready to head to the beach?” A friendly way to call everyone together.

Lickrish — To be greedy for food
“Stop being so lickrish, leave some fish cakes for the rest of us!”

We is we — We are like family
“Spilled rum on your shirt? Don’t worry ‘bout it — we is we!”

Wukup — A dance with African roots, powered by rolling hips and rhythmic waist movement.
“Time to wukup!” — cue the soca music and everyone hits the dance floor.

Cud-dear — An exclamation of sympathy
“Vacation done already? Cud-dear.”

Me gine now — I’m leaving now
“Alright wunna, me gine now. See yuh tomorrow.”

Keep good / Keep well — Stay safe and healthy
“Alright, I gine now — keep good, and don’t get in no trouble!”

Get in good — Get home safely / travel safely
“Alright, text me when you reach — get in good!”

Behind God’s back — A distant rural place, far out in the countryside
“St. Philip? St. Farlip more like! That’s behind God’s back!”

Bim — A nickname for Barbados — short for Bimshire
“Home sweet Bim! Can’t wait to hit the beach.”