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214 results found
Definition: Often pronounced with a '屎' (faeces) at the end of the word, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the overall dimensions of something.
Usage: E.g. 請問呢件衫有咩size呀？。
Synonym: 大小
Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html
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
Definition: A code-mixing term that overseas educated Hong Kongers use to refer to the kind of lawyer occupation that mostly deals with documents but actually goes to court proceedings at times.
Usage: E.g. A: 你係咪做solicitor? 咁咪唔洗上court? B: 都要上court架，少啲咋麻。(A: Are you a solictor? Does that mean you don't need to go to court? B: I need to go to court, but relatively less.)
Synonym: 事務律師
Reference: https://cph-legal.com/2022/03/how-to-ace-a-job-interview-at-a-law-firm/
Definition: A way to avoid losing face or embarassment when you do not know how to answer the boss's question. However, it can be considered unprofessional if used too much at a workplace.
Usage: E.g. 你：我搵過好多次，但係somehow條數搵唔到。老細:哦，係呀？（你：我搵過好多次，但係唔知點解條數搵唔到。老細:咁實有原因架喎？） E.g. 你：個printer somehow壞左呀。老細:哦。（你：個printer唔知點解壞左呀。老細:我唔想聽到唔知點解！）
Synonym: 唔知點解
Definition: A more effortless way of apologising to someone without sounding so formal and serious. Sometimes, it is pronounced as 'sor-li'.
Usage: E.g. Sorry呀，踩親你。 E.g. Sorry呀，我遲到左。 E.g.你：對唔住！係我抵死，係我唔岩！朋友：唔洗咁隆重。你:SORRY囉。
Synonym: 對唔住
Reference: https://www.academia.edu/8666953/Common_usage_of_code-mixing_among_trilingual_Hong_Kongers
Definition: An Englishised code-mixing term made popular by the phrase '一齊企硬唔Take嘢' (Stand firm together and don't take drugs), which was a slogan used by an anti-drug campaign launched by the Security Bureau in Hong Kong and is now imitated by many companies to sell their own products.
Usage: E.g. 一齊企硬eat車仔麵。(Stand firm together and eat cart noodles.)
Synonym: 企硬
Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWFz2k6GXcF/ (use mobile version)
Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a more sequential and orderly way of describing the progression of something, especially when giving instructions.
Usage: E.g. 實際通常都係 step by step 咁去先會得到結果 中間所有野都唔理咪做唔到囉 (In practice, I usually go step by step in order to get results. I won't be able to do it if I don't care about everything in the middle.
Synonym: 逐步; 一步一步
Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to giving encouragement to someone or helping them emotionally. Sometimes, it can also extend to providing necessities for someone such as food and shelter.
Usage: E.g. 你嘅另一半比唔比到情緒support你架? (Is your spouse able to give you emotional support?) E.g. 其實父母最緊要既責任就係比到support比子女。(In fact, the most important responsibility of parents is being able to give support to children.)
Synonym: 支持; 鼓勵; 養活
Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3641328/page/1
Definition: Often pronounced in two syllables as 'shu-ah' and used with ‘唔‘ (not), this is a cool sounding code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to express absolute uncertainty over a subject matter in an informal setting.
Usage: E.g. 佢係唔係好叻？我唔sure。(Is he really smart? I am not sure.) E.g. 今日會唔會落雨？我唔sure。(Will it rain today? I am not sure.) E.g. 佢阿媽係唔係女人？我唔sure。(Is his mom a woman? I am not sure.)
Synonym: 肯定
Reference: https://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=30817621
Definition: Often pronounced without the 'd', this is a neutral-sounding code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they are not sure which Cantonese equivalent word to use when something unexpected happens.
Usage: E.g. 哇，你考試咁高分，我好surprised呀。(Wow, you scored a high mark in your exam. I'm so surprised.) E.g. 哇，你最近減肥呀？我好surprised呀。 (Wow, you went on a diet recently? I'm so surprised.) E.g. 哇，你有男朋友？我好surprised呀。(Wow, you got a boyfriend? I'm so surprised.)
Synonym: 驚喜，驚訝
Reference: https://tsangyoksing.hk/2009/10/06/輕音節的正確讀法/
