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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


593 results found

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing idiom used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who refuses to concede despite knowing that they made the mistake in the first place. '死雞撐飯蓋' can also be shortened to '死撐' sometimes. Usage: E.g. You know you've done wrong! Stop being like a dead chicken propping up the rice cooker lid!Synonym: 死雞撐飯蓋Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms

no need to ask Ah Gui

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to something that is so obvious that there is no need to ask anyone about it, especially after finding out the wrong of somebody. 'Ah Gui' is a name that originated from an infamous official (李世桂) in the Qing Dynasty. Usage: E.g. It must be him who let out the secrets! No need to ask Ah Gui!Synonym: 唔洗問阿貴Reference: https://www.kamadelivery.com/blog/posts/香港10大俗語-地道文化背景大解構/

meeting

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use instead of saying '開會' or having a '會議'. Usage: E.g. 我聽日九點鐘有個meeting。開完meeting再搵你呀?Synonym: 會議Reference: https://theinitium.com/roundtable/20170226-lifestyle-mix-chn-eng/

as long as

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by working class Hong Kongers to emphasize the duration of time that an event is happening which is probably not coming to an end so soon. Usage: E.g. 總之as long as我係你個上司,你就要聽我講既野。(In short, as long as I am your superior, you have to listen to what I say.)Synonym: 只要Reference: https://www.facebook.com/100094319732462/posts/簡單總結返尋日live-1-租務改革令租客更難租樓難言對經濟整體有正面影響2-對於hong-kong-scouser嘅campaign-我哋認為同我地bno平權/689410454212940/

wok of congee

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a situation of utter chaos and mess. Usage: E.g. Do enough planning beforehand or your project will end up in a wok of congee!Synonym: 一鑊粥

assignment

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong students use to refer to '功課'. Usage: E.g. 喂,聽日交assignment呀,仲係到做咩呀?! E.g. 呢份assignment可以借黎參考嗎?Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf

lang

Definition: A code-mixing term that overseas educated Hong Kongers use to refer to '靚', which describes something as beautiful or good-looking. Usage: E.g. No, but seriously it’s really lang, you are the one who said hou ce right?Reference: http://www.lingref.com/isb/4/039ISB4.PDF

shopping

Definition: A more neutral-sounding term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to '購物' or '買野', which signify the commitment to buying things. Usage: E.g. 女朋友:我地聽日去商場啦。男朋友:吓?又買野?!女朋友:唔係呀。去shopping咋嘛。 E.g. 女朋友:我地聽日去shopping啦。男朋友:又買野?!女朋友:去window shopping咋嘛。Reference: https://www.academia.edu/1177618/Cantonese_English_code_switching_research_in_Hong_Kong_A_survey_of_recent_research

leng

Definition: A romanised Cantonese term that westernised Hong Kongers use to describe something or someone that is pretty or good-looking, who is usually a female. Usage: E.g. Your look very leng today! (靚) E.g. Wa! This dress ho leng ah! (好靚呀)Synonym: 靚

vely good

Definition: Often pronounced as 'vely gud', this is a code-mixing expression that grassroots Hong Kongers like to use when they cannot think of any other way to complement or give praise to something.  'Vely' (very) can also be used with other words such as 'delicious', even though delicious already denotes the meaning of excellence in food quality. Usage: E.g. 哇,今次做得好。Vely gud! E.g. 哇,D牛扒真係vely delicious呀!