Meaning
Go on; going on; carry on. One of the most useful Patois words, covering (1) 'go ahead / carry on' as an encouragement, (2) 'going on' as in 'wah a gwaan' (what's happening), and (3) 'to behave/carry on', often badly, as in 'si how him a gwaan' (see how he's acting up).
Senses
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verb To go on / carry on / go ahead — an encouragement to proceed.
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Gwaan through di gate, mi soon come.
Go on through the gate, I'll come soon.
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verb To be going on / happening — chiefly in 'wah a gwaan' (what's going on).
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Wah a gwaan wid yuh today?
What's going on with you today?
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verb To behave or carry on (often badly) — 'si how dem a gwaan' (look how they're acting up).
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Mi nuh like how she a gwaan.
I don't like how she's behaving.
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Origin
A contraction of 'go on', worn down in Patois to 'gwaan' and stretched to cover going, happening, and behaving.
How it’s used
Extremely common and multi-purpose. Base of the greeting 'wagwan' (what a gwaan).