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


299 results found

gas

Definition: Often used as '嘥gas', this is a code-mixing term that is used by native Hong Kongers to refer to wasting one's efforts.

Usage: E.g. 你唔洗嘥gas,佢唔會聽你講。

Synonym: 嘥gas,白費功夫

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW0x5-SyI4o

gay dor cheen

Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to ask a shopkeeper how much something costs, which is extremely effective when bargaining for a lower price at wet markets. It can also be shortened to 'gay cheen' (幾錢).

Usage: E.g. Gay dor cheen? (幾多錢?) E.g. Gay cheen? (幾錢?)

Synonym: 幾多錢?

Reference: https://homekong.com.hk/blogs/read/helpful-cantonese-phrases-to-know

gg

Definition: Derived from 'good game' in English, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a bad situation, such as not completing work before a deadline. (完蛋了)

Usage: E.g. 今晚做唔哂D野真係gg喇。點算呀?(完蛋了)

Reference: https://www.csb.gov.hk/hkgcsb/eon/190/190/190_3.html

go scuba diving

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing phrase that refers to someone who disappeared for a long time and no one knows where they went.

Usage: E.g. I will be blacklisting this guy who promised to attend the conference but went scuba diving!

Synonym: 潛水

Gong hei fat choi

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that Hong Kong expats use to wish someone prosperous and good fortune during Chinese New Year. Sometimes , it may be mistaken as 'Happy new year' by non-Cantonese speaking expats, even though there is nothing really wrong with saying it to people excessively. (Variant: Kung hei fat choi)

Usage: E.g. Happy Chinese New Year! Gong hei fat choi! Gong hei fat choi!

Synonym: 恭喜發財

Reference: https://www.zalora.com.hk/blog/lifestyle/kung-hei-fat-choi-meaning-how-to-respond-and-common-cantonese-new-year-blessings/

Good morning class

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that Hong Kong local teachers must say at the beginning of every class in order for students to stop chatting.

Usage: E.g. Miss Cheung: Good morning class! Entire class: "Good morning Miss Cheung."

Synonym: 早安,同學們

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/348088/page/1

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

hello

Definition: Often pronounced as 'ha-lo', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers often use to greet somebody instead of '你好', which sounds too formal sometimes.

Usage: E.g. Ha-lo,我叫Peter。你叫咩名?

Synonym: 哈佬

hesitate

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to having a brief pause before acting rather than being so indecisive and not knowing what to do.

Usage: E.g. 我都覺小貴,所以hesitate緊。不過真係好靚。(I think it's a bit expensive so I am hesitating. But it's really beautiful.)

Synonym: 猶豫

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3167329/page/27

Hey man

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that westernised Hong Kongers like to use when they want to show their warmth and passion in befriending others, even when they have known a person for just a short while.

Usage: E.g. Hey man,近排幾好嗎?(How have you been?) E.g. Hey man,吃左飯未呀?(Have you eaten yet?) E.g. Hey man,不如今餐我請呀?(What about I treat you this meal?)

Synonym: 喂,老友

Define Your Term | Learn More
Feel free to send your comments and suggestions to info@megaexplorer.net.