What Does Yiy Mean in Texts and Songs?

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Get the low down on this internet slang term

Co-authored by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones and Cheyenne Main

Last Updated: July 24, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Meanings
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• Usage & Replies
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• Similar Slang Terms
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• Tips

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If you’ve heard the “yiy” in your favorite rap song, someone texted it to you, or you saw it online, you might be wondering what it means. In some cases, “yiy” is a reference to a Jamaican Patois for the word “eye.” “Yiy” might also be used as an interjection that’s similar to the opposite of “yay.” If neither definition makes sense in context, “yiy” might just be a typo for a word like “you.” Keep reading to learn all about the significance of this term and how to use it online.

Yiy Meaning

“Yiy” is Jamaican Patois for the word “eye.” It became popular in U.S. rap culture after Jamaican D.J. Popcaan released a mixtape called “Yiy Change,” a phrase that rapper Drake later referenced in his song, “Controlla.” “Yiy change” can refer to your eyes changing after doing drugs, or it means to get sleep or rest.

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Section 1 of 3:

What does “yiy” mean?

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   “Yiy” is Jamaican Patois for “eye.” The slang term “yiy” (pronounced “eye”) came from Jamaican Patois, a Creole dialect that was shaped by Jamaican colonial heritage. The term became popular in U.S. hip hop culture after Popcaan released a mixtape called “Yiy Change” that rapper Drake later referenced in his song, “Controlla.”

   • “Yiy change” can refer to your eyes changing color or size after doing drugs, or to a general change in your mindset. It can also mean to get some sleep or rest, especially after partying.
   • Jamaican D.J. Popcaan also released a song called “Fry Yiy” that inspired the name for Night Owl Sound’s podcast, Fry Yiy Show.
   • Popcaan said that “fry yiy” means “hot skull,” and refers to the short temper he had when he was younger.
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   “Yiy” might be used as the opposite of “yay.” In some circles, you might see “yiy” used in the opposite way that you would use “yay.” You might say “yiy” to express disappointment, dismay, or grief when something unfortunate happens.
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   “Yiy” can also be a misspelling of “you.” In text or on chatting apps like Snapchat, “yiy” might be mistakenly used instead of the word “you.” If someone sends you “yiy” and it doesn’t seem like they’re referencing the slang term or expressing disappointment, it might just be a typo.

   • If you’re not sure whether someone’s use of “yiy” is a typo or not, ask them what they mean.
   • The “O” and “U” keys are right next to the “Y” and “I” keys, which makes the typo an easy mistake to make.
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Section 2 of 3:

Using & Replying to “Yiy”

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   Use “yiy” when you’re about to take a nap or get some rest. Whether you’ve just stayed up the whole night partying or pulled an all-nighter to study, you might use the word “yiy” or the phrase “change my yiy” to tell the other person that you really need some sleep. Just try to use the term respectfully and appropriately if you’re not Jamaican.

   • You: “Man, I really need to change my yiy. We’ve been studying for our exam for hours.”
     Them: “For real, I’m exhausted!”
   • You: “It’s been fun hanging out, but now I’m going to go home and rest my yiy.”
     Them: “Me too, I’m so tired.”
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   Say “yiy” when you’re disappointed about something. Whether a button pops off your shirt, you stubbed your toe on the table, or you just lost a competition, you might say “yiy.” Similar to saying “drat,” “ugh,” or “darn it,” use “yiy” when something slightly annoys or disheartens you.

   • You: “Yiy, I didn’t win the raffle.”
     Them: “That really sucks, maybe you’ll win next time!”
   • You: “I’m going to call her real quick. Wait, yiy! I don’t have her phone number!”
     Them: “I’ve got it, let me call her.”
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   Ask the other person if “yiy” is a typo. If someone says “yiy” in text and you’re not sure what they’re talking about, it never hurts to ask! Shoot them back a “?” or ask them to clarify so you’re both on the same page.

   • Them: “What are yiy up to?”
     You: “?”
     Them: “Oops, sorry! I meant ‘you.’”
   • Them: “Yiy want to hang out this weekend?”
     You: “What does ‘yiy’ mean?”
     Them: “Lol, I meant to type “you.””
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Section 3 of 3:

Similar Slang Terms

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   IY In text, “IY” might stand for “including you.” In some circles, “iy” might refer to Generation iY, or young Millennials who have been influenced by technology (like Apple’s iPhone or iPad) that emerged when they were tweens.

   • In government, it might stand for “International Year.” For example, the United Nations declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH).
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   YIYI When yiyi is used in text, it can mean a couple of different things depending on the context. In Chinese, “yi yi” means “one one” or “one by one.” In Malay, it means “friendship.” “Yi Yi” or “Yiyi” is also a classic Chinese name for a baby girl.

   • “Yi yi” may be a shortened version of the slang phrase “aye yi yi.” This comes from the Spanish word “ay!” meaning “oh!” and is said when something unfortunate happens.
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   YYY In text, “YYY” stands for “yeah yeah yeah.” This phrase can be said sarcastically, but sometimes a person might text you this if they agree with what you’ve said. When someone interrupts you with this phrase, it can mean “I already know that” or “you’ve told me this before.”

   • This can also be an abbreviation for the New York band, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
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Tips

• “Yiy” is also a song by American Grammy-nominated R&B artist Muhsinah.
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• “YIY” might be used as an acronym for a yoga business like Yoga is Youthfulness in Mountain View, California.
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