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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


832 results found

go through

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to examining something in detail.

Usage: E.g. 老闆:開會時記住同大家go through一下今個week既items。

Reference: https://www.story001.com/post-196.html

laugh die me

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that refers to something that is so funny that one can die from having too much laughter.

Usage: E.g. Laugh die me喇!真係好搞笑呀。(笑死我)

Synonym: 笑死我

Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/tag/kongish/

nine not following eight

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that refers to giving irrelevant responses to questions.

Usage: E.g. A:你去邊? B:我知道。A:Nine not following eight!

Synonym: 九唔搭八

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-nine-not-following-eight/

agenda

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that refers to a list of matters to be discussed at a meeting. (議程)

Usage: E.g. 我哋宜家一齊go through吓今日嘅agenda。

Synonym: 議程

Reference: https://hk.news.yahoo.com/開會常用英文-講完即刻pro咗-095043435.html

give you some color see see

Definition: A euphemistic way of saying to somebody that you want to teach them a lesson or show them what you've got. (比D顏色你睇)

Usage: E.g. 咁寸?! Let me give you some color see see!

Synonym: 比D顏色你睇

charge

Definition: 1. A code-mixing term that refers to a payment for goods or services. 2. Often pronounced as '差廚' (caa1 cyu4), this is a code-mixing term that is used by Hong Kongers to refer to being charged for a crime.

Usage: E.g. 呢間餐廳有冇minimum charge? E.g. 今次冇落charge?!真幸運!

lounge

Definition: Often pronounced as 'launch', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a club lounge in a hotel.

Usage: E.g. 唔該,請問個lounge喺邊?我想搵個位坐吓先。

Synonym: 休息聽

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mz8kUbNcMw

lag

Definition: Pronounced as 'lig', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to computer lag.

Usage: E.g. 部機好似唔夠RAM,好lag機呀。

reg

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the word 'register', such as registering for an account in an app to become a member.

Usage: E.g. 快D download個app再reg個account成為會員啦!

Synonym: 申請

high tech

Definition: (adj) A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to describe something that is advanced in technology.  There is a famous quote that goes "High Tech揩野,Low Tech撈野", which describes the volatility of high-tech products as opposed to low-tech products that have a larger market despite high competition.

Usage: E.g. 哇,張枱有自動升降好high tech呀。

Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201902353/201902353_1.pdf

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