Ja well no fine

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Meaning

A formula expressing resigned acceptance, hesitation or noncommittal acknowledgement: roughly, well then, that's how it is. Very informal and often ironic. The individual words need not contribute a literal yes-no contradiction; together they function as a discourse formula. Regional use: South Africa.

Origin

The Dictionary of South African English traces the full formula to Ja, Well, No, Fine, the title of an SABC radio series created by R. J. B. Wilson in 1978. Wilson combined the familiar South African ja well with his brother's habitual no, fine. The title then passed into broader colloquial use and acquired numerous spellings.

Variants

  • Ja well, no fine
  • Jawellnofine
  • Yarwellnofine
  • Ja, well, no, fine

Usage Examples

  • Ja well no fine, the permit was refused, so we will try again next month.
  • When asked whether he liked the new schedule, Pieter only said, 'Ja well, no fine.'

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