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362 results found
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 spiritual 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
Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a dress code that mixes both formal and everyday clothing, which they sometimes have a hard time deciding whether it should look a bit smarter or a bit more casual.
Usage: E.g. 由大學interview到出嚟做嘢搵intern都有一個迷思：就係到底乜嘢係Smart Casual？全套老西又太過火 牛記笠記＋波鞋又太求其 名牌鞋高踭鞋又好似扮大個 每次面試前揀衫揀鞋都揀到懷疑人生 到底我係要smart啲定casual 啲？(E.g. From college interviews to finding a job as an intern, I always had a question: What exactly is Smart Casual? Wearing an entire western suit is too formal. Jeans and T-shirt plus sneakers are too casual. Designer shoes and high heels seem to pretending to be older. Every time I choose clothes and shoes before an interview, I question my life. In the end, do I want to be smarter or more casual?)
Synonym: 商務便裝; 半正式休閒裝
Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/_wcZZSBV4/
Definition: Originated from 'short message service', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers that has evolved to become more like a scam message service because of how easy it is for hackers to impersonate legitimate companies.
Usage: E.g. 有些釣魚短訊的發訊人名字與真實機構相同，這是因為SMS短訊制式容許應用程式對個人（Application-to-Person） 傳送的SMS短訊，自訂最多11位英文字母的顯示號碼（即「自訂發送者號碼」），並隱藏發訊者電話號碼。(Some phishing SMS appear to originate from legitimate organizations because the SMS protocol allows Application-to-Person (A2P) messages to use a custom sender ID consisting of up to 11 alphanumeric characters, while hiding the actual sender's phone number.)
Synonym: 短訊
Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3756472/page/2
Definition: A shortened term for the word 'socialise' in English, which may mean different things in various situations.
Usage: E.g. 喂，你so吓人好喎？(to show that you care about others) E.g. 喂，唔好成日掛住soＤ女仔啦。(to court somebody) E.g. 喂，後生仔要出黎soso吓先得架嘛。(to socialise) E.g. 喂，你最近好似唔係好so-so喎。(being social)
Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to not being strict enough when managing people. Also, it often tends to depict a weakness in character by describing a person is not forceful or harsh enough.
Usage: E.g. 同事話我太soft管唔到學生，我聽完好灰。(My colleague said I am too soft and cannot manage students like this. I felt very grey afterwards.)
Synonym: 不嚴厲
Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DU-fcZMgjI7/ (use mobile version)
Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to describe going on a trip by oneself without sounding so alone or single.
Usage: E.g. 放假時我比較鍾意solo trip，因為咩都唔洗煩。(I like going on solo trips during holiday because I don't need to bother with anything else.)
Synonym: 單獨旅行, 獨旅
Reference: https://www.elle.com.hk/life/solo-trip
Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers when they want to avoid describing a problem as complicated because they have the intelligence to solve it. At other times, there is just not a word that covers all the meanings of intelligent, complicated and even elegant sometimes.
Usage: E.g. 呢個問題唔係複雜，只係太過sophisticated。如果你識將個問題分拆，你就會解答得到。 (This problem is not complicated, but just too sophisticated. If you know how to break down the problem, you will be able to solve it.)
Synonym: 複雜; 精密; 優雅
Definition: Often added with a ‘lor’ (囉) denoting a tone of reluctance, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to say sorry or apologize to someone.
Usage: E.g. Ａ： 喂，你踩到我隻腳喎！Ｂ：SOR囉。(A: Hey, you stepped on my foot! B: SOR LOR.)
Synonym: 對唔住，sorry
Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DScomA6EVMW/?img_index=1&igsh=MWNwaWNrd2tkM3JtYg== (use mobile version)
Definition: An ultra polite code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who really know how to sincerely say sorry or apologise to someone.
Usage: E.g. Do姐：全部都錯。嗱，唔係sorly，係sorry，捲脷架。(Carol Cheng: All wrong. It's not sorly, it's sorry, you have to roll your tongue.)
Synonym: Sor, 對唔住
Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPgONqRk7Qc/?igsh=NWZ3ODYzdjBydmdj (use mobile version)
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to getting fired from a job. (炒魷魚 - caau2 jau4 jyu2)
Usage: E.g. I messed up at work today and I got stir-fried squid!!!
Synonym: 炒魷魚
Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-老細炒咗我魷-stir-fried-me-squid/
