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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


681 results found

all day breakfast

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that upper class Hong Kongers use to refer to the breakfast set that is served all day long, but don't actually eat that often except during breakfast hours. Usage: E.g. 食all day breakfast? 唔好喇掛,就黎六點,食返晚餐好過啦。(Eat all day breakfast? I don't think so since it's about 6 o'clock. I think it's better to eat dinner.)Synonym: 全日早餐Reference: https://www.hk01.com/教煮/93368/all-day-breakfast-麵包雞蛋炸薯花款多-一張圖鑒辨清楚

research

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers use to emphasize how much paper work needs to be done when conducting studies of a subject, rather than just merely studying as the Cantonese equivalent '研究' denotes. Usage: E.g. 我兒家part-time喺大學做research,好忙架。(I am now part-time doing research at university, very busy.)Synonym: 研究Reference: https://www.threads.com/@146snk/post/DKQjVZnhSNU/香港嘅bachelor訓練根本就冇乜預你去做research所以根本唔會教你點申請mphilphd-點樣寫research-proposal-點樣approac

gossip

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers which is a more generic and less vivid way of calling someone who is too preoccupied with talking about other people’s lives. Usage: E.g. 唔好成日掛住gossip,專注啲做野啦!(Stop gossipping all the time and focus on your work!)Synonym: 諸事八卦, 閒言閒語, 講是非Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2683169/page/1

New Year’s Eve

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers who really miss hearing the word Eve from Christmas Eve so much that they wished Christmas could prolong to the new year. Usage: E.g. New Year’s Eve你會同朋友交換禮物嗎?B: 吓,唔係聖誕節先會交換禮物咩?!(Will you exchange gifts with friends on New Year's Eve? B: What? Don't people exchange gifts during Christmas instead?)Synonym: 除夕Reference: https://www.hk01.com/知性女生/60307715/除夕倒數2026-10大倒數好去處-迪士尼煙花-西九音樂會-倒數派對

G

Definition: Originated from ‘gg’ meaning ‘game over' and often transliterated as the loan word ‘豬‘ meaning pig, this is a code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use to describe situations where they have lost or think they already lost. Even though ‘豬‘ has a similar sound as 'g', this is not to be mistakened as a mispronunication as a pig represents stupidity in Cantonese and fits the context and meaning entirely. Usage: E.g. 今次對手咁勁,真係豬喇喎。(Our opponents are so powerful this time, it's really game over.) E.g. 今次考試豬左。(My exam results is game over.)Synonym: 豬, 完了,GGReference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3388417/page/1

try

Definition: A less cliche and irritating sounding code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to quickly test or experience something first, in order to know whether it is suitable for them in the long term. Usage: E.g. 有新game出左?等我try吓先。 (A new game came out? Let me try first.) E.g. 買左件衫比我?等我try try先。 (Bought a shirt for me? Let me try try first.)Synonym: 嘗試, 試Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2866301/page/17

Boxing Day

Definition: Originated from a tradition where people would donate gifts to those in need, this is a code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who do not want to be misunderstood as the day on which they would open presents, as the Cantonese equivalent terms denote the opening of presents on that day. Usage: E.g. 聽日就係boxing day。你會去邊到shopping?(Tomorrow is boxing day. Where will you go shopping?)Synonym: 節禮日, 拆禮物日Reference: https://zh-yue.wikipedia.org/wiki/拆禮物日

sorry

Definition: An ultra polite code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who really know how to sincerely say sorry or apologise to someone. Usage: E.g. Do姐:全部都錯。嗱,唔係sorly,係sorry,捲脷架。(Carol Cheng: All wrong. It's not sorly, it's sorry, you have to roll your tongue.)Synonym: Sor, 對唔住Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPgONqRk7Qc/?igsh=NWZ3ODYzdjBydmdj (use mobile version)

family time

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to the all sorts of time spent with one's family, which aren't necessarily quality time but rather for the purposes of occasion. Usage: E.g. 節日就黎到,記住唔好去旅行,留返啲時間一齊食飯同family time。(Holiday is coming. Remember not to go travelling but spare some time eating a meal together and having family time.)Synonym: 家庭時間Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3704109/page/10

Hey man

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that westernised Hong Kongers like to use when they want to show their warmth and passion in befriending others, even when they have known a person for just a short while. Usage: E.g. Hey man,近排幾好嗎?(How have you been?) E.g. Hey man,吃左飯未呀?(Have you eaten yet?) E.g. Hey man,不如今餐我請呀?(What about I treat you this meal?)Synonym: 喂,老友