Meaning
Have to, must — a shortened form of 'haffi', with the 'h' dropped. 'Mi affi go' means 'I have to go', and 'yuh affi try' is 'you must try'. It expresses obligation or necessity exactly as 'haffi' does, and the two forms are used interchangeably, 'affi' being the lighter, faster version that slips easily into quick speech. It is among the most common words in the language, marking whatever a speaker feels bound or compelled to do.
Examples
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Mi affi lef now or mi a go late.
I have to leave now or I'll be late.
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Yuh affi believe inna yuhself.
You have to believe in yourself.
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Dem affi learn di hard way.
They have to learn the hard way.
Origin
A reduced form of 'haffi' (have to), with the initial 'h' dropped — a common feature of Patois speech.
How it’s used
Interchangeable with 'haffi'. See [[haffi]].