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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


443 results found

cheese cake

Definition: Often expressed as two separate words ‘cheese’ and ‘cake’, this is a code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who have more than a regular habit of going to Starbucks or Pacific Coffee to eat cheesecake. Usage: E.g. A: 唔該,我想要十個blueberry cheeeeese cake. B: 唔好意思,冇咁多個。(Excuse me, may I have ten blueberry cheesecakes? B: I’m sorry, but there aren’t that many.)Synonym: 芝士蛋糕Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/760451/page/1

for

Definition: A code-mixing term often used by working class Hong Kongers to indicate the purpose of a product, in order to pitch and sell it to a customer. Usage: E.g. 呢個app係for你地客戶用架,令到你地方便好多。 E.g. 呢樣產品係for女士用架,尤其係貪靚嗰D。Reference: https://cantowords.com/dictionary/for#w100337

project

Definition: A word that Hong Kong local students use to refer to a large piece of work, which is often done in group setting. Usage: E.g. 今學期你有咩group project呀?(課題)Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

communication gap

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to illustrate the distance between two parties in terms of their communication, which is often due to their difference in job positions or departments in a company. Sometimes, it may be caused by forgeting to say "double confirm", which is a common phrase used by Hong Kongers at workplace to really make sure that certain information is correct. Usage: E.g. 其實呢啲communication gap 大家可以做好D減少誤會,寫多兩句confirm is better。(As for these communication gaps, it is better for us all to try and minimise misunderstandings by saying 'confirm' more.)Synonym: 溝通差距Reference: https://www.threads.com/@purpzc/post/C-l0fNJyiZM?hl=en

database

Definition: A code-mixing word that Hong Kongers love to use to refer to '資料庫' in the IT sector. Usage: E.g. 連得到個database未? 定係connect唔到呢?Synonym: 資料庫

ho dor

Definition: (textspeak) Transliterated from ‘好多’ meaning ‘a lot’ or ‘many’, this is a Kongish code-mixing term used by local student Hong Kongers to complain about the excess of homework. Usage: E.g. Ho dor gong for ah! (好多功課呀!)Synonym: 好多Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/2019/11/16/the-use-of-transliteration-in-kongish/

no show

Definition: A noun phrase-looking code-mixing verb that native Hong Kongers use to refer to someone who did not turn up at an event or occasion. Usage: E.g. 大日子遲到同no show無分別 (On an important occasion, there is no difference between being late and not showing up.)Synonym: 冇到, 缺席Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3844386/page/9

latte

Definition: Originated from Italian meaning 'milk', this is a code-mixing used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to the type of coffee made with espresso and hot steamed milk, which they believe should not be as heavy as other kinds of coffee as the term '拿鐵' denotes, which has the literal meaning of 'carry metal'. Usage: E.g. 唔該,我想要一杯tall size既latte。(Excuse me, may I have a tall sized latte?)Synonym: 拿鐵Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3648151/page/1

pool

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to getting out of the singles' pool so that you are finally dating someone! Usage: E.g. 我平時咁宅,估唔到有一日會出pool。

airport

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers when they want to describe a girl with flat chest but don't want to get slapped. Usage: E.g. A: Do you like this girl? B: No, I think she is an airport!Synonym: 飛機場Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSZDmyBASgl/?igsh=MXVsbzJhZTFoYnRudw== (use mobile version)