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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


215 results found

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

let you be the government official

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

big head shrimp

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone being forgetful and careless, such as forgetting their keys or where they put their phone. (大頭蝦 - daai6 tau4 haa1)

Usage: E.g. A: You forgot to bring your wallet? Such a big head shrimp!

Synonym: 大頭蝦

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

topic

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a subject matter that is less socially loaded, people-oriented or even gossipy.

Usage: E.g. 成日都講人是非,可唔可以轉topic?(The conversation is always gossiping about others. Can we change the topic?)

Synonym: 話題

Reference: https://spencerlam.hk/blog/2022/02/01/group-discussion技巧/

thank you

Definition: Often said with an extra 'you' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to make sure that the other person really gets the thank you message.  Sometimes, it is uttered as 'fank q' or 'fank q you', especially by the grassroots class Hong Kongers.

Usage: E.g. 今次搬屋真係好thank you你呀! E.g. 恭喜發財!*逗利是* Thank you你呀! E.g. 朋友:尋日嗰五舊水還返比你。 你:Fank q你呀!

Synonym: 多謝

Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/網絡熱話/一句英文分辨港人身份-ctb12-652218/3/

stir-fried squid

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/

style

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a more general look or vibe of something rather than the artistic or literary manner of something, or the character of a person.

Usage: E.g. 呢家啲00後衣著style好似完美屌打90後. (Nowadays the Gen Z's dressing style seem to be winning over the 90's by far.)

Synonym: 風格

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3739511/page/4

Q-train

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to the new generation of electric multiple unit trains in the Hong Kong MTR produced by CRRC Qingdao Sifang.

Usage: E.g. 成型友大嗌Q train萬歲,搞到我差D以為Q train有還不完的恩情。(My friends kept shouting "Long live Q train!" which almost made me think Q train had an endless debt of gratitude to repay.)

Synonym: 市區綫願景列車

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@mr_luck_kinda_sucks/post/DWc9xJUk5qx?xmt=AQF05j-tBGLeYI6vBDAQQ-VN1sIrTbCEBlqWN97wggHxlDpvP-bUA91RIuhOZeQCanqxrsU&slof=1

put your horse to me

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to tell the other person to bring it on! (放馬過來)

Usage: E.g. I am not afraid of playing against you. Put your horse to me!

Synonym: 放馬過來

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

update

Definition: (adj.) Often pronounced as 'up-day', this is a code-mixing term used to describe someone or something as being very trendy or up-to-date. However, it is also sometimes used as a verb like in native English.

Usage: E.g. 你部手機好update喎。(adj.) E.g. Update左個software未呀?(verb)

Synonym: 潮; 更新

Reference: https://www.inmediahk.net/中英夾雜

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