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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


345 results found

signature

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers like to use to refer to a distinctive characteristic by which someone or something can be identified. Usage: E.g. 中英夾雜絕對係香港人signature。 E.g. 呢碟菜就係呢間餐廳既signature。Synonym: 標誌,招牌菜Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ

goldfish man

Definition: Known as Kongish and originated from a story where a man used to lure children by promising to buy them goldfish, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to a paedophile. (金魚佬) Usage: E.g. Stop buying me chocolate and lure me like a goldish man!Synonym: 金魚佬Reference: https://www.scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/486w/public/images/methode/2016/01/21/c10168a8-bff3-11e5-9503-d84cbca18933_486x.jpg?itok=sF-XAnJn

Saliva man

Definition: A person that talks too much or gossips Usage: Don't be such a saliva man! Please mind your own business. Synonym: 口水佬Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/41520/

jeng

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used to describe something that is very good or awesome. Usage: E.g. The food is so jeng! (正) E.g. The movie was ho jeng ah! (好正呀)Synonym: 正Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%20alternative%20to%20“hou%20ging,jeng”%20if%20something%20is%20awesome.

chee sor

Definition: A romanised code-mixing term that real ABC’s like to use to refer to toilet. (廁所) Usage: E.g. Excuse me? Where is the chee sor?Synonym: 廁所Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%2520alternative%2520to%2520“hou%2520ging,jeng”%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.

fit

Definition: Often pronounced with a long vowel 'feet', this is a code-mixing term that is more appropriate to use when describing someone in good shape. Usage: E.g. 男仔:哇,你身材幾好喎。女仔:咸濕仔! E.g. 男仔:哇,你身材好標準喎。女仔:死咸濕仔! E.g. 男仔:哇,你好fit喎。女仔:多謝。

updup

Definition: A romanised code-mixing term that is used by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong to refer to '罨耷', which usually refers to a place being shabby or in poor condition. Usage: 港女:Im so broke so I went into a random updup maiseen place eat din alone but then I realize the place is too dirty and updup...Reference: https://topick.hket.com/article/2254771/wuddud=核突%E3%80%80港女「流利」港式英語投訴米線店考起網民

file

Definition: Often pronounced as 'fi-lo' with a rising tone on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that is more generic to be used for a number of different items in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 唔該copy呢個file比我。(電腦檔案) E.g. 買多個file儲住D紀錄。(文件夾) E.g. 警察:我哋會睇返呢單case既file。(檔案)Reference: https://aclanthology.org/O09-5003.pdf

benz

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to the car brand Mercedes-Benz Usage: Wow! Ban¹ ci⁴ ah!

funny

Definition: A more neutral-sounding code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to describe someone's personality as humorous, especially when they are not sure whether to give praise to someone. Usage: E.g. 佢係mix黎既,講野個tone都幾溫柔,然後性格都幾funny吓。Synonym: 搞笑Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uik5GWvXiLA&t=210s