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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


396 results found

sai

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term added to the end of verbs to express the meaning of completely or to a large extent. (晒 - saai3) Usage: E.g. Mm goi sai! (Thank you so much!) 唔該晒 E.g. Dor jeh sai! (Thank you very much!) 多謝晒 E.g. Jo sai! (Done everything!) 做晒 E.g. Sik sai! (Eaten everything!) 食晒 E.g. Mo sai! (No more left!) 冇晒Synonym: 晒Reference: http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/characters/1592/

chi sin

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who is crazy, or a situation that is outrageous or unbelievable. (痴線 - ci1 sin3) Literal meaning: To have your electrical wires touching. Ie. Short circuit in the brain. Usage: E.g. Chi sin! You used all your money to gamble?! E.g. Chi sin! The restaurant gave me the wrong bill! E.g. Chi sin! You won the lottery?!!Synonym: 痴線Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/8-colloquialisms-unique-to-cantonese

mm goi

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by real ABC Hong Kongers to say 'please', 'excuse me' or 'thank you', depending on the situation. (唔該) Usage: E.g. Mm goi. (To call the waiter at a restaurant) E.g. Mm goi jeh jeh (Excuse me, please let me through) E.g. Mm goi sai! (Thank you very much!) E.g. Set A lunch, mm goi. (Set A lunch, please) E.g. Mm goi, where is the MTR? (May I ask where is the MTR?)Synonym: 唔該Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%2520alternative%2520to%2520%E2%80%9Chou%2520ging,jeng%E2%80%9D%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.

eat banana

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to tell someone to eat sh*t or cock. (食蕉) Usage: E.g. Hahaha! You lose this game! Eat banana la!Synonym: 食蕉Reference: https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/16113/what-does-蕉-mean-in-cantonese

put your horse to me

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to tell the other person to bring it on! (放馬過來) Usage: E.g. I am not afraid of playing against you. Put your horse to me!Synonym: 放馬過來Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

chi ma gun

Definition: Known as Kongish and a much stronger version of 'chi sin' (痴線), this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers describe someone who is crazy, or a situation that is outrageous or unbelievable. (黐孖筋 - ci1 maa1 gan1) Literal meaning: To have your twin wires sticking together, causing short circuit in the brain. Usage: E.g. Why did you scold me?! Are you chi ma gun??!! E.g. Chi ma gun! Don't dare to drive after drinking alchohol again!!Synonym: 黐孖筋

pork chop

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe a fat or ugly woman. (豬扒) Usage: E.g. I think this girl is such a pork chop! I have no interest in her at all! (豬扒)Synonym: 豬扒Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/16131/

ging

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term often used by the younger generation to describe something or someone as very skillful or powerful. (勁) Usage: E.g. You won the competition?! Ho ging ah! (Very outstanding) E.g. You are so ging at basketball! (Very skillful) E.g. This computer is so ging! (Very powerful)Synonym: 勁Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%2520alternative%2520to%2520“hou%2520ging,jeng”%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.

yum cha

Definition: An Englishised Cantonese phrase that real ABC Hong Kongers use to refer to going to a traditional Chinese restaurant for dim sum. (飲茶) Usage: E.g. Let's go to yum cha this weekend!Synonym: 飲茶

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