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

Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


947 results found

give you some color see see

Definition: A euphemistic way of saying to somebody that you want to teach them a lesson or show them what you've got. (比D顏色你睇)

Usage: E.g. 咁寸?! Let me give you some color see see!

Synonym: 比D顏色你睇

nei ming ng ming gong mud ye?

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing phrase that is often used among local students in Hong Kong girl schools when they cannot understand what the teacher says in a lesson.

Usage: E.g. *Teacher explains what to do for the lesson* Student A: Nei ming ng ming gong mud ye? Student B: Ng ming.

Synonym: 你明唔明講乜野?

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/124322/集體回憶-90後最有共鳴火星文-禾刀吾g-3-你有無份

ngo mm sik gong gwong dong wa

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by foreigners when they come across a local Hong Konger who thinks they know how to speak Cantonese. Literal meaning: I don't know how to speak Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. Foreigner: Mm goi sai! Dor jeh! Hong Konger: Wow, your Cantonese is so good! Foreigner: Ngo mm sik gong gwong dong wa.

Synonym: 我唔識講廣東話

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know

blow water without wiping mouth

Definition: Derived from '吹水唔抹嘴', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to someone who brags about his or her achievements and doesn't take any responsibility for it. ie. To talk bullsh*t.

Usage: E.g. Don't believe in what he says! He likes blowing water without wiping mouth all the time! (唔好信佢講既野!佢成日都鍾意喺度吹水唔抹嘴!)

Synonym: 吹水唔抹嘴

I eat salt more than you eat rice

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to tell someone that he or she must listen to them because they have much more life experience and wisdom.

Usage: E.g. Listen to me. You are not old enough to go travelling by yourself. I have eaten salt more than you ate rice!

Synonym: 我食鹽多過你食米

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-more-salt-than-rice-我食鹽多過你食米/

I’m not saying he is a bad person

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong actress and singer JW as a less direct way to describe someone with a bad personality.

Usage: E.g. I am not saying he is a bad person, 佢都係好人嚟㗎,男人我明白會有犯呢啲錯啦,但係當我係個受害者嘅時候,我就make咗呢個decision... (I am not saying he is a bad person, he is a good person after all, I understand men make these kind of mistakes, but since I was a victim, I made this decision...)

Synonym: 我唔係想講佢係一個壞/品質差既人

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60360165/jw剖白被背叛仍硬食拜金標籤真相-痛斥網絡風氣-永遠女仔就係雞?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01appshare

let you be the government official

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to express disbelief at someone in fulfilling a promise. (比個官你做)

Usage: E.g. You say you will return your money by tomorrow? I let you be the government official!

Synonym: 比個官你做

finish the ritual and ditch the monk

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who does not show gratitude to those who helped him/her after a goal is reached.

Usage: E.g. I have helped you reach your goal and you complete forget about me? So does that mean you finished the ritual and ditch the monk?

Synonym: 打完齋唔要和尚

Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/打完齋唔要和尚

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to strongly express promise in doing something when the other person does not believe in you. (批個頭比你當凳坐)

Usage: E.g. If I don't return my money back to you by tomorrow, then I cut my head and let you sit on it as a chair!!!

Synonym: 批個頭比你當凳坐

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe a situation where there is a scene or fight going on between people, and you are just excited to watch what will happen as a bystander. '食住花生等睇戲' can be shortened to '食花生' sometimes.

Usage: E.g. I have never seen people argue like this over Whatsapp! Let's eat peanuts while waiting to watch a film!

Synonym: 食住花生等睇戲

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms

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