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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


793 results found

soft

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to not being strict enough when managing people. Also, it often tends to depict a weakness in character by describing a person is not forceful or harsh enough. Usage: E.g. 同事話我太soft管唔到學生,我聽完好灰。(My colleague said I am too soft and cannot manage students like this. I felt very grey afterwards.)Synonym: 不嚴厲Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DU-fcZMgjI7/ (use mobile version)

520

Definition: Originated from Mandarin meaning 'I love you', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to '唔要你' in Cantonese, which means "Don't want you" in English. Usage: E.g. A: 今日係520喔!點解您孤伶伶一個人呢?B: 哈哈哈哈哈,你個問題咁得意架咩?(A: Today is May 20th! Why are you so lonely? B: Hahahaha, why is your question so interesting?)Synonym: 唔要你Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1pTDlz4Vns

share

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to using or experiencing something together with others without the meaning of splitting apart, while not guaranteeing enjoyment and happiness. Usage: E.g. 最鍾意share 野! 一餐可以食晒唔同款,正!(I love to share things! Can eat all sorts of food in a meal! Awesome!)Synonym: 分享; 共用Reference: https://www.threads.com/@louisling8/post/DHi7b96TcQP/最鍾意share-野-一餐可以食晒唔同款正

result

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to the numerical outcome of something rather than the consequence or ending of something. Usage: E.g. 出嚟個result有70分。(The result which came out was 70 marks.)Synonym: 數據; 結果Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3797010/page/1

guarantee

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer more specifically to the legal promises made by a company, especially in a contract or agreement. Usage: E.g. bonus guarantee 有3個月?有d 公司好仆街係咪都話生意唔好減咁d 架wor (Is it guaranteed to have 3 months of bonus? Some companies are really an epic fail and say their business is not doing good then lower your salary.)Synonym: 保證Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2863234/page/3

clarify

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers when they want to make something clear or to seek clarification from another person. Usage: E.g. 我想clarify一吓呢個task係做咩。(I want to clarify what is to be done in this task.) E.g. 我想clarify一吓,係唔係九點開會?(Just to clarify, are we having a meeting at 9 o'clock?)Synonym: 澄清; 釐清; 講清楚; 問清楚Reference: https://hk.amazingtalker.com/questions/7500

thinking

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to cover a range of criteria in an exam such as a person's thought or perspective, process of thinking, mental attitude, reasoning path, etc. Sometimes, it may be a term short for critical thinking. Usage: E.g. 考作文好睇你個thinking。(A writing exam really tests your thinking.)Synonym: 諗法; 思路; 思考; 思想; 思維 Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2517481/page/2

sales

Definition: Often added with a '屎' (faeces), this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a salesperson. Usage: E.g. A: 點解好多人唔識分sale 同sell 呢2個字 B: 我諗係因為sales sale屎sell屎sale野sell野. (A: Why do so many people cannot differentiate between sale and sell? B: I think it is because sales sell sh*t and sale thing sell thing.)Synonym: sale屎Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3146390/page/1

relax

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to loosening up, taking a rest or relieving stress. Usage: E.g. 平時做野咁大壓力,得閒就梗係要去relax吓啦!(We have so much stress from work every day. We should go and relax when we are free!)Synonym: 放鬆; 休息一下; 減壓Reference: https://www.ulifestyle.com.hk/community/detailpost/1aae63f8-2070-4a5b-a860-9dda56907f7f/打卡熱點/得閒就梗係要去rel/Heiman118/760860

double click

Definition: A trendy-sounding code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to pressing twice on a mouse or touchpad quickly and gently. Usage: E.g. 我點樣 fix 我嘅滑鼠每次想 click 一下嘅時候,都會 double click 呢?(How can I fix my mouse? Whenever I click it, it clicks twice?)Synonym: 雙擊Reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/u21xlf/how_do_i_fix_my_mouse_double_clicking_whenever_i/?tl=zh-hant
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