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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


531 results found

chee sor hai bin

Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use when they want to ask where a washroom is.

Usage: E.g. Chee sor hai bin? (廁所喺邊?)

Synonym: 廁所喺邊?

Reference: https://homekong.com.hk/blogs/read/helpful-cantonese-phrases-to-know

chemical reaction

Definition: A code-mixing term that Fake ABC's in Hong Kong use to refer to the 'chemistry' between two people, which is the attraction between them.

Usage: E.g. 我覺得佢地都幾有chemical reaction。

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uik5GWvXiLA&t=210s

chemistry

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to the attraction between two people.

Usage: E.g. A:你話佢地兩個有冇chemistry呢?B:你係指work定係sexual chemistry呢?LOL。

chi ma gun

Definition: Known as Kongish and a much stronger version of 'chi sin' (痴線), this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers describe someone who is crazy, or a situation that is outrageous or unbelievable. (黐孖筋 - ci1 maa1 gan1) Literal meaning: To have your twin wires sticking together, causing short circuit in the brain.

Usage: E.g. Why did you scold me?! Are you chi ma gun??!! E.g. Chi ma gun! Don't dare to drive after drinking alchohol again!!

Synonym: 黐孖筋

chi sin

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who is crazy, or a situation that is outrageous or unbelievable. (痴線 - ci1 sin3) Literal meaning: To have your electrical wires touching. Ie. Short circuit in the brain.

Usage: E.g. Chi sin! You used all your money to gamble?! E.g. Chi sin! The restaurant gave me the wrong bill! E.g. Chi sin! You won the lottery?!!

Synonym: 痴線

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/8-colloquialisms-unique-to-cantonese

chill

Definition: A code-mixing term used by the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department to describe something as very relaxing. However, the AI anti-drug video that used this word was taken down due to citizens suspecting that the video was promoting the illegal use of drugs instead of discouraging it.

Usage: E.g. 浪漫的煙圈,一支幫你忘記所有煩惱,好chill (Romantic smoke rings — one puff helps you forget all your worries. So chill.)

Synonym: 好放鬆

Reference: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3358606/ai-k-pop-video-pulled-after-anti-drug-message-backfires-hong-kong-prison-service

chok

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to pulling a face that looks pretentious in order to look cool.

Usage: E.g. 林峯:你睇吓我個樣夠唔夠chok?!

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-hea-chok-chur/

chorus

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to the part of the song that is repeated several times.

Usage: E.g. 老師:今次唱得唔錯。不過我地再黎多次個chorus呀,唔該。 E.g. 老師:我地一齊再唱多次段副歌!學生:副歌?老師,你係邊到黎架?

Synonym: 副歌

chow mein

Definition: A romanised code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to refer to a type of fried noodles with soy sauce flavour that people like to eat every day because it is so easy to make and adaptable to different ingredients and tastes.

Usage: E.g. Would you like chow mein with ham, beef, or chicken? Want to add some sesame, sweet and spicy sauce?

Synonym: 炒麵

Reference: https://amp.lihkg.com/thread/4150389/page/1

chur

Definition: 1. (adj). To describe a hectic state where you are so busy that you feel like you cannot breathe. 2. (verb). An Englishised code-mixing term that refers to exhausting oneself in order to get work done in a short period of time, which is usually brought on by demanding customers or people of high authority.

Usage: E.g. 今日返工真係好chur呀。(adj) E.g. 哇,呢個客洗唔洗chur到咁盡呀?比條生路人地行吓好嗎?(verb)

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-hea-chok-chur/

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