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Say It Jamaican
TraditionalAwaiting cultural review

“Wanti wanti cyaan get it, an getti getti nuh want it.”

Those who want it cannot get it, and those who have it do not want it.

Make a message from this

What does “Wanti wanti cyaan get it, an getti getti nuh want it” mean?

People often take for granted what others long for. The saying contrasts someone who wants an opportunity or possession with someone who has it but does not appreciate it. It encourages gratitude and noticing the value of what is already available. It need not imply that every wish is reasonable or that dissatisfaction is always unjustified.

English translation

Those who want it cannot get it, and those who have it do not want it.

Understanding the expression

The paired wording, wanti wanti and getti getti, creates a memorable opposition between wanting and having. That contrast is the central lesson. It can fit conversations about opportunities, possessions or attention, but is best used reflectively rather than as a way to silence a legitimate complaint. Gratitude can coexist with wanting circumstances to improve.

When to use it: an illustrative example

One person is eager for an opportunity that another person keeps dismissing. Someone remarks, “Wanti wanti cyaan get it, an getti getti nuh want it.” The observation invites the person who has the opportunity to consider its value before taking it for granted.

Topics

WisdomTraditional ProverbsReflective

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Attribution and review

Traditional Jamaican proverb

This entry is awaiting cultural review. The explanation and illustrative example are editorial interpretations, not a documented origin or historical quotation.