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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


26 results found

singcon

Definition: An ultra efficient code-mixing term used by Hong Kong local students to refer to singing contest.

Usage: E.g. CLS呢個中學生唱singcon唱到跪撚埋喺度 (So frigging crazy! This high school student sang until kneeling down in a singing contest.)

Synonym: 歌唱比賽

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3191125/page/16

chill

Definition: A code-mixing term used by the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department to describe something as very relaxing. However, the AI anti-drug video that used this word was taken down due to citizens suspecting that the video was promoting the illegal use of drugs instead of discouraging it.

Usage: E.g. 浪漫的煙圈,一支幫你忘記所有煩惱,好chill (Romantic smoke rings — one puff helps you forget all your worries. So chill.)

Synonym: 好放鬆

Reference: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3358606/ai-k-pop-video-pulled-after-anti-drug-message-backfires-hong-kong-prison-service

wet

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers love to use to refer to hanging out and having fun, especially in bars and clubs.

Usage: E.g. 今晚諗住去邊到wet呀? E.g. 媽:比心機讀書。唔好成日掛住we we wet wet啦!

Synonym: 蒲

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/624997/21句顯老潮語-好in-kai子聽到打冷震-m嘢-格格蕉蕉咩意思#media_id=6904876

blow water

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term that refers to chatting casually or bragging about something.

Usage: E.g. 收皮啦!唔好再blow water!

Synonym: 吹水

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

act like a crab

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who is bragging about their achievements. (扮哂蟹 - baan6 saai3 haai5)

Usage: E.g. A: Stop acting like a crab! You think you are better than me?!

Synonym: 扮哂蟹

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

reservation

Definition: A classy code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to arranging something for use at a later time, such as a table or room.

Usage: E.g. 唔該可唔可以幫我make個reservation留兩張枱?(Excuse me, can you help me make a reservation for two tables?)

Synonym: 預訂

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3981159/page/19

entertaining

Definition: A code-mixing term used by entertainment judges to describe a performance as enjoyable to watch without judging the entertainment value itself.

Usage: E.g. 一開始覺得啲vocal好似嗌緊交,但又好 Entertaining (At first it felt like the vocals were arguing, but was very entertaining at the same time.)

Synonym: 有娛樂性

Reference: https://www.nmplus.hk/entertainment/魔音女團-穎喬-陳潔靈-1637287/

run

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to keeping a company going without necessarily managing it. Sometimes, it can extend to running a family and keeping it alive.

Usage: E.g. 噢喔~原來Run一頭家 同Run一間公司差唔多。我們是彼此最重要的合作夥伴 (Oh... In fact, running a household is pretty much the same as running a company. We are each other's most important partners.)

Synonym: 經營; 運行

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@miffylulu0423/post/DYutyJzFkii/噢喔原來run一頭家-同run一間公司差唔多我們是彼此最重要的合作夥伴我們不談犧牲-只談合作分工我們不爭錯對-旨在共同解決問題我們不互相消耗-意在互相滋養我們不/

sing k

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term that refers to singing karaoke.

Usage: E.g Gum man hui ng hui sing k? (今晚去唔去唱K?)

Synonym: 唱卡啦OK

Skype

Definition: Often pronounced as 'Skypy', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the instant messaging software 'Skype'.

Usage: E.g. 你幾時得閒呀?我想用Skypy打比你呀。

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/633876/港式英語-19個英文字港人常讀錯-釘橋-cam錢-janet讀到似中文

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