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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


553 results found

yeet hay

Definition: With a literal meaning of 'hot air', this is a romanised code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to having overheat from eating too much spicy or fried foods, leading to pimples and freckles growing on your face or even buttocks. Also, yeet hay seems to only exist in Chinese medicine but not western medicine according to native Hong Kongers.

Usage: E.g. A: Do you want to eat barbeque? B: No thanks, I am very yeet hay recently.

Synonym: 熱氣

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/C7PVDJZpVgq/ (use mobile version)

pkmon

Definition: Often shortened to 'pkm' in textspeak, this is a code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers to refer to Pokemon. However, it is not to be confused with 'PK' in Cantonese, which is a vulgar expression meaning to tell someone to go to h*ll.

Usage: E.g 你本身唔中意pkm點爆都唔會開心 (If you don't like Pokemon, you will never be happy ripping open card boosters.)

Synonym: Pokemon

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@plee_0107/post/DakcU7DEg0D/

blow water

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term that refers to chatting casually or bragging about something.

Usage: E.g. 收皮啦!唔好再blow water!

Synonym: 吹水

Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/tag/kongish/

secondary two syndrome

Definition: Originated from Japanese TV show, this is an Englishised code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to a teenage-like person who often only lives in their own world and does things just to satisfy themselves, or even acting as if they have secret powers.

Usage: E.g. 鍾培生吊威也求婚女友未say yes硬戴戒指網民:太中二了 (Derek Chung proposed to his girlfriend with a wire stunt and put the ring on her while she has not even said yes. Netizens commented: "Such secondary two syndrome!")

Synonym: 中二病

Reference: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1239684264415029/

freerider

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to a person who does not do any work in a group project but gets credit for it.

Usage: E.g. Q: 大家見過最癲freerider係點? A: 試過group project分工之後 個freerider唔見左人 唔聽電話 唔睇 group message 直到present完之後先出現 (Q: Has anyone seen what the craziest freerider is like? A: I used to work in a group project where the freerider disappeared and we could not reach him by phone or group message. Then the freerider appeared after the presentation finished.)

Synonym: 自由騎士

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2241139/page/7

bend machine

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers to describe having an overly powerful ability to do something, such as winning a game.

Usage: E.g. I can't believe you are winning every game! Are you bending machine?!

Synonym: 屈機

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-cantonese-slang-internet

toilet

Definition: A code-mixing term used by a Jayden Mami to refer to a washroom or restroom in a direct manner without sounding too blunt.

Usage: E.g. Jessie, 你宜家好去定toilet呀, 如果陣間watching, Mami唔想stand up disturb到人呀。(Jessie, you should go to the toilet now. Later while watching movie, Mami doesn't want to stand up and disturb anybody.)

Synonym: 廁所

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZmrL7QghVL/?igsh=dHAyMGZjMG95aHNz (use mobile version)

seven head

Definition: Known as Kongish and derived from '柒頭' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe or scold someone who is stupid and brainless like a dickhead. (龜頭)

Usage: E.g. You seven head go and collect skin! (你個柒頭去收皮啦!)

Synonym: 柒頭

Reference: https://www.topprint2000.com/online-shop/product/1131018/

I really appreciate it

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by overseas educated Hong Kongers who want to express their sincere gratitude towards someone without saying 'thank you' repetitively.

Usage: E.g. 唔該哂你幫我手呀。I really appreciate it.

Synonym: 我好感激你

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKwHZnk1ZNs

need sheep have sheep

Definition: Translated from ‘要咩有咩’ with ‘咩’ (what) having a similar sound utterance of a sheep, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that is said during Chinese New Year to wish someone they can get whatever they need.

Usage: E.g. Gong Hei fat choi! I wish you need sheep have sheep this year!

Synonym: 要咩有咩

Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/2019/11/12/kongish-a-new-language-of-hong-kongers/

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