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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 946 results

pack

Definition: A versatile code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to arranging, tidying or wrapping things into a container such as a luggage.

Usage: E.g. 姐姐,我愛你呀。返到屋企,呆左,姐姐知我3日後搬屋,幫我pack好晒d野 (Sister, I love you. I was speechless when I went home. My sister knew I would move to another house three days later so she helped me pack everything.)

Synonym: 執; 包

Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/_tNvRYFKv/

care

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kong businessmen to refer to something that they give a damn about, as the equivalent terms '理', '在乎' or '關心' in Cantonese sound too romantic or loving in a professional setting.

Usage: E.g. 我唔care你要OT到幾多點,總之要幫我搞掂。 E.g. 其實我都好care我既員工既福利。 E.g. 艾東care! (I don't care!)

Synonym: 理; 在乎; 關心

solo trip

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to describe going on a trip by oneself without sounding so alone or single.

Usage: E.g. 放假時我比較鍾意solo trip,因為咩都唔洗煩。(I like going on solo trips during holiday because I don't need to bother with anything else.)

Synonym: 單獨旅行, 獨旅

Reference: https://www.elle.com.hk/life/solo-trip

I / E

Definition: With 'I' for introvert and 'E' for extrovert, this is a code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers who are very knowledgeable or obsessed about the MIBT (Myerrs Briggs type indicator) or the 16 personalities test.

Usage: E.g. A: 你係I人定E人?B: 我唔係好知,有可能係雙面E人。(A: Are you an introvert or extrovert? B: I don't know. Maybe I am a two-faced extrovert.)

Synonym: Introvert, extrovert

Reference: https://resources.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/37733/mbti-i人同e人區別-10種情境解析-一秒分辨你係-i人定e人

flower bridge corn taxi

Definition: (vulgar, offensive) An Englishised code-mixing term that westernised Hong Kongers love to get their Asian parents to say in order to show others it is amusing. However, some Hong Kongers may not find it is that funny because the pronunciation of the Cantonese equivalent words '花橋粟米的士' only roughly resembles 'f*** you suck my d*ck', which means it is kind of a broken joke.

Usage: E.g. Mommy, point to the camera and say 'flower bridge corn taxi'!

Synonym: 花橋粟米的士

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DQ214-EgFps/ (use mobile version)

gau m daap baat

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that local Hong Kongers use to refer to someone who is off-topic or providing irrelevant answers.

Usage: E.g. Lei dou gau m daap baat! Can you answer my question?!

Synonym: 九唔搭八

Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/tag/kongish/

Bearing, Barrack

Definition: 許多香港人的廣東話是直接由英文翻譯過來,譬如Bearing,Barrack。平時口語叫「啤1令2」及「1巴1叻」(讀力第1聲),比起說「輪軸」及「儲物房」在交流上更加方便易明。(Many Hong Kongers translate Cantonese directly from English, such as Bearing and Barrack. Said as "啤1令2" and "1巴1叻" (pronounced 1st tone), it is more convenient and understandable than saying "wheel shaft" and "storage room".)

Usage: 車輪啤令鬆脫,電動車在行車時發出了雜聲 (The wheel bearing came loose, causing the electric vehicle to make abnormal noises while driving.)

Synonym: 啤令,巴叻; 士巴拿spanner

lie flat

Definition: Derived from the Chinese internet slang '躺平', this is an Englishised code-mixing term used to describe a lifestyle of doing as little as possible, due to knowing that there is a 'rat race' going on where everyone is competing for jobs such that it is almost impossible to keep up with the societal pressure.

Usage: E.g. This exam is so difficult! I am lying flat! E.g. I am not lying flat! I must continue to find a better job!

Synonym: 躺平

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-internet-and-texting-slang-to-use-right-now

in

Definition: (adj.) A code-mixing term used to describe someone or something as being very trendy.

Usage: E.g. 哇,你今日著得好IN呀。 E.g. 聽返D流行音樂,咁先夠IN架嘛。 E.g. 做後生仔要夠IN先得架嘛。

Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk

mon

Definition: Derived from 'monitor', this is a highly efficient use of one's eyes to keep track of the progress of somebody or something. Sometimes, even without the use of one's eyes.

Usage: E.g. 喂,我咪喺度做緊野囉。你唔洗成日喺度mon住我嘛! E.g. 你:喂,大佬。你唔洗成日打電話黎mon住我嘛?!!對方:大佬?!你邊隻眼見到我mon住你呀?!! E.g. D股市跳得咁勁要成日搵人mon住先得架。

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