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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


674 results found

no eye see

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that refers to something that is like an eyesore to oneself because he or she cannot withstand it anymore. Usage: E.g. 你地做成日都打爛野。我真係no eye see喇。(冇眼睇)Synonym: 冇眼睇Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/tag/kongish/

take

Definition: A versatile code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use in a variety of situations, depending on the context. However, the recently popular phrase of 'take嘢' can also be roughly translated into a number of different things and not only refer to taking drugs, as the Cantonese word '嘢' has a literal meaning of 'thing'. Usage: E.g. 你諗住take邊科? (Which subject will you take?) E.g. 我要take個sick leave. (I will need to take a sick leave.) E.g. 上堂要記住take notes. (Remember to take notes during lesson.)Synonym: 拿取, 攞, 拎Reference: https://www.threads.com/@the.dialoguer/post/DWT7-WdlIxw?xmt=AQF0JUqJJsoEVSjTxoX99nK5oYLe0PIoT4tb5CseE3XE-w

low pay leave

Definition: A code-mixing term used by grassroots Hong Kongers to refer to “no pay leave” or non-paid leave. Usage: E.g. 請唔到病假咪請low pay leave囉! (no pay leave)Synonym: 無薪假期

receiver

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers use to refer to a small wireless unit that is plugged into a computer’s USB port for receiving signals for a keyboard or mouse. Usage: E.g. 有冇見過我個receiver? 我好似唔見左。Synonym: 接收器

angry

Definition: A code-mixing term used by a "Jayden Mami" to describe a state of emotional stress due to a child misbehaving, even though it sounds less serious and less hinting of being upset or furious compared to the Cantonese equivalent terms. Usage: E.g. Jayden,你唔勤力啲swim,媽咪同爸B會angry㗎!(Jayden, if you don't work harder on swimmig, Mami and Daddy will be angry!)Synonym: 嬲; 激氣; 憤怒; 生氣Reference: https://eastweek.stheadline.com/pets/18474/Jayden媽咪是誰社交網絡爆紅兼殺入毛孩界

people mountain people sea

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to emphasize how crowded and jam-packed a place is. Usage: E.g. 同事:今日搭車返工多唔多人呀? 你:多呀,可以話係people mountain people sea呀。 E.g. 你:哇,人山人海呀!朋友:簡直係people mountain people sea啦!

unjoy

Definition: A code-mixing term that the Hong Kong celebrity '肥媽' like to use to refer to enjoying oneself on the stage by shaking along music or rhythm. Usage: E.g. 上到舞台一定要unjoy!

cappacino

Definition: A code-mixing term used by the upper class Hong Kongers to refer to the espresso-based coffee made with steamed milk because the Cantonese equivalent '意大利泡沫咖啡' is too sophisticated to say. Usage: E.g. A:我平時最鍾意飲意大利泡沫咖啡。香港人:你指cappucino?Synonym: 意大利泡沫咖啡

proud of

Definition: A code-mixing term used by a Jayden Mami to express admiration and honour towards a child without sounding too arrogant, self-important or dramatic as the Cantonese equivalent terms denote. Usage: E.g. Jayden呀,你今次考試一百分呀?Mami好proud of你呀。(Jayden, you got 100 marks in this exam? Mami is so proud of you!)Synonym: 驕傲;以你為榮;自豪Reference: https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/32423/does-the-usage-of-the-word-proud-骄傲-自豪-or-而荣-in-chinese-differ-from-that-i

put away your phone

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by a Jayden Mami to order their children to put away their phones authoritatively. Usage: E.g. Jayden,媽咪 told you 㗎,講咗唔好睇咁耐 phone 呀,你對 eye 會好 tired 㗎!快啲 put away your phone,過嚟 finish 咗你份 homework 佢!(Jayden, Mami told you not to look at your phone for too long, or else your eyes will be very tired! Put away your phone quickly and come here to finish your homework!)Synonym: 收埋你個電話Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXEBuVCDlpu/ (use mobile version)
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