Tek

Meaning

To take — in the full range of English senses (grasp, accept, carry, use up) plus several set phrases. 'Tek' anchors common expressions like 'tek time' (be careful, go slowly), 'tek weh' (take away, or run off with), and 'tek set pon' (to pester or fixate on someone).

Examples

• Tek dis bag fi mi.

  Take this bag for me.

• Tek time wid it.

  Be careful with it. / Do it slowly.

  'tek time' is an idiom for caution, not literally taking time.

• Di dog tek weh di bone.

  The dog ran off with the bone.

Origin

The Jamaican pronunciation of English 'take', with the vowel shortened.

How it’s used

Extremely common, and the base of many idioms whose meaning is not literal — learn the set phrases rather than translating word by word.