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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


666 results found

wok

Definition: Known as Kongish and derived from the bowl-shaped Chinese frying pan '鑊' (wok), this is a measure word that is often used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a number of different bad situations.

Usage: E.g. Big wok! (大鑊 - big trouble has occurred) E.g. Big wok explosion! (爆大鑊 - someone revealed a big secret) E.g. Carry wok. (孭鑊 - To take the blame for someone) E.g. Slip a wok. (跣一鑊 - To set somebody up for some trouble) E.g. To make you a wok. (整你一鑊 - To give someone a trouble) E.g. Let's be cooked together in a wok! (同你一鑊熟 - To get someone else into the same trouble as you)

Synonym: 鑊

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-big-wok-%E5%A4%A7%E9%91%8A-language/

去Ball

Definition: Ball是指舞會,通常在酒店或大酒樓舉行既宴會,禮貌上是要盛裝出席,我們畢業禮上的prom也可以叫Ball,傳統上同學都會穿著tuxedo或禮服以示尊重。隨時代變遷,宴會的內容簡單化了,穿著隨便些也不是大問題,反正現在的人都轉投去了移民講座,重Ball乜鬼?(Ball refers to dance party, held in a hotel or large restaurant banquet, which we politely attend dressed. A graduation prom can be called Ball, and students wear tuxedo or dress to show respect. As times change, the banquet has simplified, and dressing casually is not a big problem. Anyway, people nowadays have switched to immigration lectures, why go to a ball?)

Usage: 我今晚去Ball, 下午去Révére set頭。(I'm going to a ball tonight, so I'm going to Révére this afternoon to get my hair styled.)

Synonym: 說晚會嫌煩,直接說去Ball好了。(I just don't bother saying 'night party', so it's better to say 'ball'.)

520

Definition: Originated from Mandarin meaning 'I love you', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to '唔要你' in Cantonese, which means "Don't want you" in English.

Usage: E.g. A: 今日係520喔!點解您孤伶伶一個人呢?B: 哈哈哈哈哈,你個問題咁得意架咩?(A: Today is May 20th! Why are you so lonely? B: Hahahaha, why is your question so interesting?)

Synonym: 唔要你

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1pTDlz4Vns

à la carte

Definition: Originated from French, this is a code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to ordering single dishes individually.

Usage: E.g. 如果你唔鍾意叫set dinner,你可以叫 à la carte。(If you don't like to order the set dinner, you can order single dishes.)

Synonym: 單點; 散嗌; 散叫

Reference: http://paper.wenweipo.com/2011/12/21/ED1112210026.htm

AA

Definition: Often used as 'AA制' (policy), this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to paying for yourself at a meal. (Also known as 'going Dutch' in English)

Usage: E.g. 今餐AA制得唔得呀?

Synonym: 食自己, 自己比

act like a crab

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who is bragging about their achievements. (扮哂蟹 - baan6 saai3 haai5)

Usage: E.g. A: Stop acting like a crab! You think you are better than me?!

Synonym: 扮哂蟹

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-大頭蝦-big-head-prawn-language-hong-kong/

add

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers as a more natural and effortless way to ask for another person's contact number to their mobile phone list.

Usage: E.g. 我唔係識左你好耐,不過可唔可以add左你先呀?(I haven't known you for long, but may I add you first?) E.g. 其實ig D女狂add 人係為左咩?(Why on earth are the girls on Instagram adding people wildly?)

Synonym: 加

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2309015/page/1

add oil

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that Hong Kongers use to cheer for somebody else as encouragement or support when they are bored of the equivalent term '加油' in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. Add oil! 希望你今次考試高分!

Synonym: 加油

adhoc

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to tasks that have not been planned and must be done at the time as they were assigned.

Usage: E.g. 今日公司唔係好忙,不過有好多adhoc野做。

Synonym: 臨時工作

afford

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to having enough money to buy something without indicating one's ability to cope with such burden.

Usage: E.g. 點解要鍾意自己 afford 唔起嘅 luxury? (Why love luxury that you can't afford?)

Synonym: 負擔得起; 買得起

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DP3vop4Epm7/ (use mobile version)

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