How come the slang Dey Your Dey in Nigerian Pidgin?
The phrase Dey your dey originates from Nigerian Pidgin English, which is a widely spoken as creole language in Nigeria. Pidgin evolved as a means of communication between of ethnic groups and colonial traders during the transatlantic trade era. Over time, it became deeply embedded in Nigerian language style used as street conversations, and even in music by top musicians like Davido, wizkid etc.
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Infact, Nigerian pidgin and slangs are widely promoted by musicians and movie artists.
The phrase itself is built on the Pidgin verb dey, which means to be or to stay. When repeated—dey your dey—it means Stay on your own or Mind your business. The expression became more popular in urban slang through music, social media, and everyday street interactions.
How to use "Dey Your Dey" in Conversations
1. Use Between Friends:
James: Bro, why you no gree follow us go that party? (Why didn’t you follow us to the party?)
John: Abeg, dey your dey. I no wan wahala. (Please, mind your business. I don’t want trouble.)
2. Use in Online Drama:
If person talk wetin you no like for Twitter, no need fight, just dey your dey.
(If someone says something you don’t like on Twitter, no need to argue—just ignore it.)
3. Use Family Matters:
Aunt: You still never marry? Wetin you dey wait for? (You're still not married? What are you waiting for?)
You: Aunty, I beg, dey your dey. (Aunty, please, mind your own business.)
4. Use At Work with colleagues:
Colleague: "Why you no put mouth for that office gossip?" (Why didn’t you join in on the office gossip?)
You: E no concern me. I just dey my dey. (It doesn’t concern me. I’m just staying on my own.)
5. Use Relationship Advice:
James: My guy, your babe dey follow other men talk oh. (My guy, your girlfriend is talking to other men.)
John: Abeg, dey your dey. E no concern you. (Please, stay in your lane. It’s none of your business.)
Similar slangs that can be used as alternative
If you like "Dey your dey," you'll love these other Nigerian Pidgin slangs that carry a similar meaning of minding your business, staying in your lane, or avoiding unnecessary drama.
1. Face Your Front
Meaning: Focus on yourself and stop interfering in other people’s matters.
No put mouth for their fight, just face your front.
(Don't interfere in their fight, just mind your business.)
2. No Dey Put Mouth for Wetin No Concern You
Meaning: Don’t meddle in things that don’t involve you.
Wetin I tell you? No dey put mouth for wetin no concern you.
(What did I tell you? Stop getting involved in things that don’t concern you.)
3. Carry Your Cross
Meaning: Handle your own problems yourself.
You cause this wahala, so carry your cross.
(You caused this trouble, so deal with it yourself.)
4. E No Concern Me
Meaning: It’s not my business.
If dem like make dem fight from now till tomorrow, e no concern me."
(If they like, they can fight till tomorrow; it’s not my problem.)
5. E Get Why
Meaning: There’s a reason, but it’s not your concern.
No ask me why I avoid that guy, e get why."
(Don’t ask me why I avoid that guy, I have my reasons.)
6. Leave Matter for Matthias
Meaning: Drop the issue and stop stressing over it.
You too dey worry, abeg leave matter for Matthias.
(You worry too much, just let it go.)
7. No Wahala, I Dey My Lane
Meaning: No problem, I’m minding my own business.
Dem dey do office politics, but me I no send. No wahala, I dey my lane.
(They are playing office politics, but I don’t care. No problem, I’m staying in my lane.)
8. Who Send You Work?
Meaning: Nobody asked you to do this, so don’t blame others.
You go put mouth for their matter, now you dey cry. Who send you work?
(You involved yourself in their issue, now you’re complaining. Who asked you to?)
9. No Carry Another Person Load for Head
Meaning: Don’t take on other people’s problems.
You no fit solve your own problem, you dey carry another person load for head.
(You can’t even solve your own issues, but you’re worrying about someone else’s problem.)
10. Chop Your Own, Make I Chop My Own
Meaning: Let everyone enjoy their own thing separately.
If na rice you like, chop am. If na beans I like, I go chop am. Chop your own, make I chop my own.
(If you like rice, eat it. If I like beans, I’ll eat it. Let’s each enjoy our own thing.)
So I have explained 10 alternative to dey your dey which can also give similar meanings.
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