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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary
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10 random words out of 681 results

level

Definition: Often used as '升le' (呢), this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to having made an advancement in something. (升級) Usage: E.g. 哇！今次考試表現好左好多喎。簡直係升呢呀！Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html
2024-04-20

ride an ox to look for a horse

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe working for a job while looking for a better one. (騎牛搵馬 - ke4 ngau4 wan2 maa5) Usage: E.g. Look for a job first! You can always ride an ox while looking for a horse!Synonym: 騎牛搵馬Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575
2024-04-21

offer

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used instead of '取錄'. Usage: E.g. 家人：邊間大學比左offer你呀？ 你：仲未有offer呀。唔知幾時呢？
2023-03-02

I mean

Definition: A tag-switching phrase often used by Native Hong Kongers for clarifying on matters. However, it can sometimes be overused by Fake ABC's to strike a western impression on others. Usage: E.g. 份project未搞掂呀。I mean，我岩岩做完要check吓先。 E.g. 港女：你應該食少D野。I mean，你應該減吓肥至岩。 E.g. 香港人：你講咩話？偽ABC：I mean，well... I mean，我覺得你身材唔係好fit囉I mean。Reference: https://www.academia.edu/8666953/Common_usage_of_code-mixing_among_trilingual_Hong_Kongers
2023-03-02

madam

Definition: The Hong Kong way of referring to a female police officer (女警官). Usage: E.g. 女警：Target出現。全世界出動！下屬：Yes, Madam！Synonym: 女警官Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk
2023-03-04

pro

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term for 'professional'. (adjective) Usage: E.g. 哇，你打tennis好pro呀。可以叫你一聲大佬嗎？ E.g. 耳機都買到咁靚？洗唔洗咁pro呀？
2023-03-02

deserve

Definition: Known as 'JM tone', this is a code-mixing word that Hong Kong celebrity Janice Man use to refer to reserving someone, even though it is criticised as Fake ABC English due to a most likely wrong word usage. Usage: E.g. 上天會deserve一個好好嘅人等緊我。(意思：reserve)Reference: https://inews.hket.com/article/1522091/Janice%20Man英文教室%20%20教你練成JM%20Tone
2023-03-04

function

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to refer to a social event. Usage: E.g. 最近公司有咩function要搞？Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/
2024-04-20

solo trip

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to describe going on a trip by oneself without sounding so alone or single. Usage: E.g. 放假時我比較鍾意solo trip，因為咩都唔洗煩。(I like going on solo trips during holiday because I don't need to bother with anything else.)Synonym: 單獨旅行, 獨旅Reference: https://www.elle.com.hk/life/solo-trip
2025-12-24

yo!

Definition: A code-mixing term that the Hong Kong actor Dicky Cheung (張衛健) loves to use in the "Journey of the West" Cantonese TV episode, in order to display the almighty character of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. Usage: E.g. Yo！打妖精咋麻，洗乜驚呀？！Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtl4WF0RwWI&t=224s
2024-10-06
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