Define Your Term | Login
What is code-mixing? | Mission | About | Learn More | Downloads | Lectures | Videos |
Instagram Instagram
English | Chinese

Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


415 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

protect

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kong girls to refer to proactively keeping someone safe from damage or injury, which is usually something that they expect from a boyfriend. Usage: E.g. 如果連我自己都唔為自己去解釋一下,咁邊個去protect我?邊個幫我解釋?冇。(If even I myself don't stand up for myself, who is going to protect me? Who will help me explain to others? No one.)Synonym: 保護Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60359628/jw王灝兒揭與破產前度葉韋彤分手真相-直言-佢做咗對唔住我嘅事?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01appshare

harsh

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong local students to refer to the quality of being rough or even unkind, in addition to being strict in following rules or standards. Usage: E.g. 個professor好charm啊,但係有少少harsh... (The professor is very charming, but is a little harsh.)Synonym: 嚴格; 嚴厲Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/86453/page/4

set

Definition: A code-mixing term used by waitresses at the famous Tam Jai Sam Gor noodle restaurant to refer to something that is fixed, such as food items on a menu. Usage: E.g. 譚仔阿姐:個餐係set咗咁多個餸架。唔洗你揀。(Tam Jai waitress: The meal is already set with that many food items. No need for you to choose.)Synonym: 設定Reference: https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3286078/hong-kongs-tam-jai-noodle-joint-waitresses-are-stars

selling point

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a feature or quality of a product that persuades people to buy it. Compared to '賣點' in Cantonese, selling point can often extend to services and people, and can refer to personal attractiveness or uniqueness. Usage: E.g. 以前佢地D selling point 係聽話忠誠 (Their selling point used to be that they were willing to listen and loyal to their customers.)Synonym: 賣點Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3746011/page/2

canteen

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a restaurant located inside a school or company. However, it is worth noting that the origin of the word is from Europe and should not to be confused with ‘can-ting’ or ‘can-teng’ in Mandarin or Cantonese (餐廳), which start with the ‘ts’ sound instead of ‘k’ sound in ‘can’. Usage: E.g. 今日好多人呀!快啲落canteen霸位啦!(There are so many people today! Let's go to the canteen to hog the seats first!)Synonym: 飯堂; 食堂 ; 餐廳Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSKkZbOEqPJ/ (use mobile version)

fade out

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to withdrawing from a relationship gradually. However, it can also be comparable to 'ghosting' if the withdrawal is sudden enough. Usage: E.g. 可以點樣fade out想追我既人 (How can I fade out from someone who is chasing me?)Synonym: 淡出Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2975441/page/1

gathering

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer people coming together. Even though the term can be used both formally and informally in English, it can actually be more personal and intimate than '聚會' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 女友稱約朋友去酒店Gathering 男友事後問起她卻支吾以對 (Girlfriend said she was going to a hotel with friends for a gathering, but when her boyfriend asked her about it later, she gave evasive answers.)Synonym: 聚會 Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/網絡熱話/女友稱約朋友去酒店gathering疑似出軌-637892/

move on

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to leaving past memories behind so they can progress or continue in life. Usage: E.g. 被分手嘅大家係點move on? (How does everyone move on from a breakup?)Synonym: 繼續前行Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2705628/page/6

gym

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to exercise done in the gym. Even though it is often used as '做gym' (do gym), it is not to be confused with 'doing the gym' because the gym is actually the place where people do exercise in native English. Usage: E.g. 想唔想一齊做gym? (Want to work out / do exercise in the gym together?)Synonym: 健身; 健身室; 健身室運動Reference: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/做gym
Define Your Term | Learn More