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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


280 results found

sau pei

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing phrase used by local student Hong Kongers to tell somebody to shut the f*** up.

Usage: E.g. Stop blowing water! Sau pei la! (Quit bragging! Shut up!)

Synonym: 收皮

Reference: https://thehoneycombers.com/hong-kong/hong-kong-slang-urban-dictionary/

scout dan

Definition: Originated from the classic riddle '童子軍跳彈床' meaning scout trampoline, this is a code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use to express the meaning of 'I don't f***ing care' in informal situations.

Usage: E.g. A: What do you want to eat for lunch? B: Scout dan la.

Synonym: 是鳩但

Reference: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/童子軍跳彈床——是鳩但

seafood ghost

Definition: Known as Kongish and transliterated from '屎忽‘ meaning buttocks, this is a code-mixing phrase used to describe someone who always doesn't do what he or she says will do, somewhat like a faggot or asshole in English.

Usage: E.g. This guy is such a seafood ghost! We always save him a seat at the restaurant but he never turns up!

Synonym: 屎忽鬼

Reference: https://evchk.fandom.com/zh/wiki/%E5%B1%8E%E5%BF%BD%E9%AC%BC

See you tomorrow

Definition: It's slang for when a person eats something and it's unsuccessfully digested. Resulting in the food being pooped out the next day still intact.

Usage: I'll pass on corn or string mushrooms guys. I don't want a "see you tomorrow" situation happening tomorrow morning

Sei fo

Definition: (Kongish) When something goes completely wrong. Or doesn't work out (fail, flop)

Usage: Sei fo! We didn't prepare for the presentation today. It was a total flop!

Synonym: 死火

sell

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to an exchange of goods or services for money, but often with an extra service of persuading and pushing the customer to buy something they don't want to buy at all.

Usage: E.g. 個sales明明係sell野但係又講到唔係。(The salesperson was actually selling and pitching his product but he said he wasn't.)

Synonym: 賣野; 推廣

Reference: https://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=27464402

sensible

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to acting or speaking appropriately rather than being logical in the technical sense. Also, it usually implies having a good level of spirtual maturity in addition to basic common sense so that one does not say or do stupid things that is disrespectful to others.

Usage: E.g. 睇完艾力訪問姜濤,講嘢都好sensible,其實佢個人真係唔差,心地善良 (After watching Eric's interview with Keung To, I thought his words were very sensible. In fact, Keung To is not really that bad of a person, but is kind-hearted.)

Synonym: 理智

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@aa11yy__/post/DQ64WkTEwpw?xmt=AQG0os4onkNngeDaBXXgpug3rEeIp7OiEA1gUR05-T_52H1LwEOo67WyTueAopajb2mrmGYm&slof=1

set

Definition: A code-mixing term used by waitresses at the famous Tam Jai Sam Gor noodle restaurant to refer to something that is fixed, such as food items on a menu.

Usage: E.g. 譚仔阿姐:個餐係set咗咁多個餸架。唔洗你揀。(Tam Jai waitress: The meal is already set with that many food items. No need for you to choose.)

Synonym: 設定

Reference: https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3286078/hong-kongs-tam-jai-noodle-joint-waitresses-are-stars

sh*t

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong celebrity Louis Koo (古天樂) in the TVB episode 'A Step into the Past' (尋秦記) when he was transported into the past to the days of Qin Dynasty.

Usage: E.g. *Wakes up and finds an army of horsemen rushing towards him* Sh*t!

Synonym: 弊, 死喇

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edrNB8DXhmQ

siu4

Definition: Derived from ‘笑死’ (laugh die), this is a Kongish code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers on the internet when they want to laugh out loud, just like LOL in English.

Usage: E.g. This comedy movie was so funny! Siu4!

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

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