Learning the Local Lingo – A Quick Guide to Guyanese Creole

Introduction: Why Learn Some Guyanese Creole?

Imagine you’re walking through Stabroek Market, and a vendor calls out, “Ay, bai! Yuh wan’ buy some nice mango?” Or maybe you’re trying to catch a bus and the driver asks, “How far yuh goin?”

If you have no clue what they just said, don’t worry—that’s where this guide comes in. Guyanese Creole (or Guyanese for short) is the everyday language of the people, full of color, rhythm, and expressions that can’t always be translated word-for-word. Learning even a few phrases will help you connect with locals, avoid confusion, and maybe even make some new friends along the way. 

Now, when a non-Caribbean person tries speaking Creole, it can sound... well, let's just say “interesting.” The real purpose of this blog is to help you understand us. Because even if you don’t fully understand us, trust me, we definitely understand you. So you don't have to speak Creole, but to avoid confusion, if you know the basic Guyanese it would help you better understand what's going on.

So, leh we go! (Let’s go!)

What Is Guyanese Creole?

Guyanese Creole is a unique mix of English, African, East Indian, Dutch, Arawakan, and Portuguese influences, shaped by the country’s history of colonization, migration, and cultural blending. While English is the official language of Guyana, Creole is what most people speak in their day-to-day lives.

It’s an oral language—which means it doesn’t always follow strict grammar rules. Instead, words and phrases are often shortened, blended, or said in a way that sounds completely different from standard English.

But here’s the thing: Creole isn’t rigid like standard English. It’s fluid, and it changes depending on the person’s background, region, and even personal style. Both Black Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese speak Creole, but they might say things a little differently—thanks to their distinct cultural influences.

Pronunciation Differences

Both groups speak Creolese, but their accents and speech patterns may have slight variations in tone and rhythm.

• Black Guyanese Creole:

  • Tends to be more rhythmic and stretched out, with more emphasis on vowels

  • Words may be pronounced with a “rolling” or elongated sound.

  • Example:

    • “Wah yuh seh?” (What are you saying?)

    • Might sound like: “Waaahhh yuh seh?”

• Indo-Guyanese Creole:

  • Sometimes has a more clipped or nasal tone.

  • May cut off the ends of words more sharply.

  • Example:

    • “Wah yuh seh?”

    • Might sound like: “Wah yuh say?” (Shorter and less stretched)

Common Words & Slang Differences

Some words are more common in one group than the other, though most people understand both.

• Black Guyanese Slang:

  • “Bun up” – To be very tired or worn out (“Bai, me done bun up after all da wuk”).

  • “Bruck up” – To be physically or emotionally exhausted (“Me whole body bruck up”).

  • “Big man ting” – Serious business or discussion (“Big man ting, me nah joke”).

    
    

• Indo-Guyanese Slang:

  • “Abee” – We/Us (“Abee a guh town” instead of “We going to town”).

  • “Bais” – Term for boys/men (“Watch how dem bais drinkin’ rum”).

  • “Chupid” – A softer way of saying stupid (“Yuh real chupid bad”).

    
    

Expressions & Cultural Influences

Some phrases have African or Indian cultural roots, leading to differences in common expressions.

• Black Guyanese Expressions:

  • “Yuh know how long?” – Emphasizing how long something has been happening (“Yuh know how long me na see yuh?”).

  • “Gyaff” – To chat or talk a lot (“Dem two deh love gyaff”).

    
    

• Indo-Guyanese Expressions:

  • “Me a tell yuh” – Used to emphasize a point (“Dah food been good, me a tell yuh”).

  • “Leh abee go” – Let’s go (“Leh abee go buy some doubles”).

Food & Family Terms

Since Indo-Guyanese cuisine has heavy Indian influences, and Black Guyanese cuisine is shaped by African and Creole traditions, their food-related phrases can differ.

• Black Guyanese might say:

  • “Bring some cook-up by me” (referring to cook-up rice, a popular rice dish).

  • “Dah metem real sweet” (talking about metemgee, a hearty ground provision dish).

  
  

• Indo-Guyanese might say:

  • “Me guh buy some curry” (meaning curry and rice).

  • “Doubles sell out fast” (talking about doubles, a street food from Trinidad but popular in Guyana).

Family Terms:

• Black Guyanese might refer to a grandmother as “Granny” or “Ma”.

• Indo-Guyanese might say “Nani” (maternal grandmother) or “Aji” (paternal grandmother).

Sounds simple enough, right? Now let’s get into some words and phrases you need to know before stepping foot in Guyana.

Some common Food and Family Terms in Guyanese Creole

Basic Greetings & Common Phrases

First things first—you need to know how to greet people properly. Guyanese are friendly, and a simple greeting can make a big difference in how you’re received

• "Wah happen?" – What’s up? / How are you?

• "How yuh deh/do?" – How are you doing?

• "Me deh (yah)." – I’m good / I’m here.

• "Good mahnin’ / aftahnoon / night." – Good morning/afternoon/night (Guyanese often say “good night” as a greeting, not just a farewell. We might also say mahnin when is night….its a thing).

• "Big up yuhself!" – A friendly way to say “Respect!” or “Keep being awesome.”

• "Lata, man." – See you later.

• "Yuh alright?" – Are you okay? (Often used when someone looks tired, upset, or just lost).

Basic Greeting and Everyday phrases in Guyanese Creole

Slang & Expressions You’ll Hear Everywhere

Once you hit the streets, you’ll hear Guyanese dropping phrases left and right. Some of them make sense immediately, while others… not so much.

• "Buss/bruk up" – Broken, messed up, or exhausted. (“Bai, meh phone buss up bad!” – My phone is completely broken!)

• "Leh we go" – Let’s go!

• "Yuh know how long?" – It’s been a long time! (“Yuh know how long me nah see yuh?” – I haven’t seen you in forever!)

• "Nah easy" – This can mean tough, tricky, or even impressive. (“Bai, dem pipl dis nah easy!” – Boy, these people are tough to deal with!!)

• "Me ain’t able/ Meen able nah mo" – I can’t be bothered / I don’t have the energy.

• "Da man fulla talk" – That person talks a lot (but doesn’t always follow through).

Creole Slangs and phrases for every day use

Food-Related Phrases: How to Order Like a Local

Food is serious business in Guyana, so you better know how to order like a pro.

• "Gimme wan small cook-up." – I’ll have a small box cook-up rice.

• "Me want one fry rice, na too much pepper." – I’d like fried rice, not too spicy.

• "Put lil peppa deh." – Add a little pepper (very important when ordering!).

• "Wey de sauce deh?" – Where’s the sauce?

• "Bai, me belly full." – I’m stuffed.

• "Dem mango nah ripe yet?" – Are those mangoes ripe yet?

• "You get mauby?" – Do you have mauby? (A local drink made from tree bark).

• "You wuking up, bai" – You enjoying your food.

Travel & Directions: Asking for Help on the Road

Guyana’s roads can be tricky to navigate, so it helps to know how to ask for directions.

• "A comin out at the next cornah" – I’m coming off at the next street.

• "Dis bus going town?" – Is this minibus heading to Georgetown?

• "Leh me off hay, driver." – Let me off here, driver (used when getting out of a minibus).

• "Wey me guh find a taxi?" – Where can I find a taxi?

• "Is how far from hay?" – How far is it from here?

• "Is wha road dis?" – What road is this?

• "Me lost, bai." – I’m really lost.

Travel and Directions in Guyanese Creole

Funny & Unique Sayings That Will Impress Locals

Guyanese love a good metaphor or dramatic expression. Try using one of these and watch people crack up or give you instant respect.

• "De more monkey climb, de more he show he tail." – The more someone talks or boasts, the more they expose their flaws.

• "When eez nah hear, skin does feel." – When you don’t listen, you will feel the consequences.

• "Dem boy nah see sun yet." – They haven’t experienced real struggles yet.

• "Yuh mek yuh own bed, now lay down in it." – You made your choices, now face the consequences.

• "Time longer than twine." – Be patient, everything unfolds in time.

• "Mek yuh hights." – Be on your way

• "Mek chaste" – Our version of the English saying, Make haste

Funny and Unique sayings in Guyanese Creole

Final Thoughts: Why Learning Creole Makes Your Trip Better

Learning just a few key Creole phrases won’t just help you get around—it’ll make you feel like part of the crew. Whether you’re at the market, the street corner, or chatting with friends, speaking a little Creole will make locals warm up to you in no time.

Plus, Creole isn’t just about words—it’s about rhythm, attitude, and expression. So, don’t be shy—try it out, and soon enough, you’ll be talking like a real Guyanese (or at least close enough for people to laugh and appreciate the effort!).

So, yuh ready fuh dis?