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

Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


237 results found

two five boy

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to someone who betrays others. ie. A traitor. (二五仔) Usage: E.g. I can't believe you are the two five boy who let out the secret!Synonym: 二五仔Reference: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202105/25/AP60ac0e63e4b0a46dabeb8867.html

folder

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that is used instead of the Cantonese equivalent '文件夾' to refer to a physical folder or a virtual folder on a computer. Usage: E.g. 喺你個desktop上面開個folder,然後將你既file放入去。 E.g. 老師:唔該把所有功課放喺你個文件夾入面。同學:吓?文件夾?老師,你係邊到黎架?

binder

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that is used instead of the Cantonese equivalent '大文件夾' to refer to a large-sized folder for keeping documents. Usage: E.g. 如果folder唔夠大,搵個binder再放哂D文件入去。

chicken out

Definition: A code-mixing term used by real ABC Hong Kongers to refer to someone deciding not to do something because they are too frightened. Usage: E.g. 我地講吓飲啤酒咋喎。你唔係咁快就chicken out嘛?Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1368997059457323008.html

no need to ask Ah Gui

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to something that is so obvious that there is no need to ask anyone about it, especially after finding out the wrong of somebody. 'Ah Gui' is a name that originated from an infamous official (李世桂) in the Qing Dynasty. Usage: E.g. It must be him who let out the secrets! No need to ask Ah Gui!Synonym: 唔洗問阿貴Reference: https://www.kamadelivery.com/blog/posts/香港10大俗語-地道文化背景大解構/

visa

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to the Cantonese equivalent '簽證'. Usage: E.g. 你搞好左travel visa未呀?(旅遊簽證) E.g. 你到外國工作要有working visa架。(工作簽證)

scan

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to the Cantonese equivalent '掃描'. Usage: E.g. 可以scan份document比我嗎? E.g. 喂,個scanner壞左呀。幾時搵人黎整呀?Reference: https://www.esquirehk.com/mens-talk/simon-shen-hong-kong-english-chinese

user

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to the Cantonese equivalent '使用者'. Usage: E.g. 同完個user傾好要咩feature未呀? E.g. 喺user既角度,呢個係一個bug。

con

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to contact lens. Usage: E.g. 港女:我唔要戴眼鏡。我要戴con!Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf

wok of congee

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a situation of utter chaos and mess. Usage: E.g. Do enough planning beforehand or your project will end up in a wok of congee!Synonym: 一鑊粥