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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


763 results found

play study watch

Definition: A set of code-mixing verbs that a Jayden Mami likes to forcefully use to educate their children on how to spend their time wisely on leisure and work. Usage: E.g. Jayden呀,Mami told you 唔好成日掛住play,要study多啲,同埋do完哂啲homework先watch TV啦!(Jayden, Mami told you not to always play, you need to study more, and you should finish your homework before you watch TV!)Synonym: 玩; 讀書; 睇Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXDXFJxzrUw/ (use mobile version)

say thank you

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that a Jayden Mami likes to repeatedly use to order their children to show gratitude to someone. Usage: E.g. Katherine, 人地比野你, 你要講 thank you, 你要say thank you, 快D say thank you. (Katherine, when people give you something, you need to say thank you, you have to say thank you. Say thank you quickly!)Synonym: 講多謝Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVAkhPqj83Z/ (use mobile version)

security

Definition: Pronounced as 'sik-q', this is a code-mixing term used to refer to the security staff of a building. Usage: E.g. 同我快D叫'食Q'黎!

pick up

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that a Jayden Mami loves to use to refer to a more casual way of learning something rather than the formal way of acquiring skills and information. Usage: E.g. Jayden呀,有時間就去pick up English啦。你唔用既話會好快forget架。(Jayden, go and pick up English when you have time. If you don't use it, you will forget it.)Synonym: 學識; 練習Reference: https://hk.amazingtalker.com/questions/8407

Return water (wui shui)

Definition: To get a refund for something due to dissatisfaction. Usage: The service was so bad, that's why I wanted to wui shui. Synonym: 回水

eat bowl face turn bowl down

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to betraying someone after receiving some offer or advantage from them. (食碗面反碗底) Usage: E.g. I gave you so many benefits and you eat bowl face turn bowl down?!!Synonym: 食碗面反碗底Reference: https://www.scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/486w/public/images/methode/2016/01/21/c10168a8-bff3-11e5-9503-d84cbca18933_486x.jpg?itok=sF-XAnJn

Eat Cha SIU

Definition: This is a Cantonese slang that refers to a situation where a player has a clear opportunity to score a point. The slangs origin comes from a volleyball game where a sports announcer said "Cha SIU" instead of the word "chance". Although the word came from a volleyball game initially, it's more widely used in badminton games. Usage: That was a total set up for a smash, total Cha SIU! Synonym: 食叉燒Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-生舊叉燒好過生你-better-to-give-birth-to-char-siu-than-you/#:~:text=Sik6%20caa1%20siu,back%20into%20its%20own%20court.

sup

Definition: A salutation often used by real ABC Hong Kongers to ask how somebody is doing. However, it is often overused by Fake ABC's to strike a western impression on others. (Also used as "what's up") Usage: E.g. 喂,sup man? E.g. 偽ABC:Sup man, sup, sup, sup...人們:得喇。唔好成日唔係又sup又喺到sup啦。好煩呀。
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to express disbelief at someone in fulfilling a promise. (比個官你做) Usage: E.g. You say you will return your money by tomorrow? I let you be the government official!Synonym: 比個官你做
Definition: A Kongish expression used to describe someone who is so reckless that he or she is almost getting himself killed or into a big trouble. Usage: You spent all your money on gambling? Do you know how to write the die character?!Synonym: 你唔知個死字點寫
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