9 Words and Phrases you should know if visiting Trinidad and Tobago

1) Bess

Bess is a term used in Trinidad and Tobago that can mean either “awesome” or “sexy”.

For example:

Dat girl rel bess – That girl is very sexy

OR

Dat rel bess – That is really awesome

2)   Weys

“Weys” is an exclamatory term used in Trinidad and Tobago. It is often used in moments of surprise, shock and disbelief.

3)   Lime

“Lime” is a word used in Trinidad and Tobago and throughout the Caribbean as a synonym to “a gathering” or “to hang out”. As a true Trinbagonian (a person from Trinidad and Tobago), I can attest that this word is built into our vocabulary. Indeed, instead of “No Loitering” signs in Trinidad and Tobago, there are signs that say, “No liming”. “Lime” can be used in many different ways as both a verb and a noun.

A few examples as a verb:

When we limin’? – When are we going to hang out?

When last you lime with her? – When was the last time that you hung out with her?

A few examples as a noun:

You going to the lime tonight? – Are you going to the get together tonight?

I’m having a lime tonight. – I’m having a get together tonight.

 And if you want to be really complex:

You gonna lime with her at the lime tonight?– Are you going to hang out with her at the get together tonight?

4)   Owah

“Owah” means “or what?” in Trinidad and Tobago. It is commonly used at the end of a question.

 Examples:

You going to sleep owah? – You going to sleep or what?

You like her owah? – You like her or what?

5)   DDI

This is an abbreviation for “Down di Islands” – Pronounced “dong di islands”.

“Down di islands” is a term used to refer to islands off of the northwest coast of Trinidad.  Many of the islands have houses on them and residents typically go DDI on their own boats on weekends and vacations. You do not have to own your own home or boat to go DDI, however. You can rent a boat, find someone to go with or befriend a local fisherman and anchor in the middle of a bay or near a beach and enjoy the ocean. During weekends and vacations, many teenagers and young adults can be found DDI, enjoying watersports, a good “lime” and the occasional DDI party.

6)   Wine

“Wine” or “Wining” is the name given to the dance of Trinidad and Tobago. “Wining” is similar to “grinding” in the United States and Europe. However, the movement of the hips tends to be more fluid. A common phrase directed at individuals who can wine very well is, “Yuh grease yuh waistline”, which is supposed to mean that the individual’s hips move so fluidly that it is as if they were oiled.

7)   Bacchanal

“Bacchanal” is a term used in Trinidad and Tobago most often to refer to drama.  It is also used to refer to having a good time in a party as seen in the very popular Carnival song in Trinidad and Tobago called, Bacchanalist by Kerwin Du Bois

8)   Waz di scene

“Waz di scene” is a term used in Trinidad and Tobago which literally means, “what is the scene?” but is understood as “what are you doing?” Though similar, it should not be confused with “Waz your scene?” (See number 9)

A typical start of a conversation would include:

“Ey, waz di scene?– Hey, what are you doing?

9)   Wam

“Wam” is a word used in Trinidad and Tobago that means “what happen?” “Waz your scene” is a phrase that has the same meaning. They are both usually used in instances of indignation.  “Wam” can also be used in friendly manner as meaning, “what’s up?”

Instances of Indignation:

Wam to you?/Waz your scene? – What is the matter with you? Or, why are you behaving like that?

Friendly manner:

Ey, wam? – Hey, what’s up?