Instagram
English | Chinese
284 results found
Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to persuading someone forcefully to do or achieve something.
Usage: E.g. 資優學生唔需要push佢地做，係咁依點下就ok。(There is no need to push talented students, as you just need to guide them casually.)
Synonym: 逼迫;催逼
Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/337010/page/1
Definition: Used as '立flag', this is a code-mixing term used by local student Hong Kongers to refer to being very vocal about what you want to do, but end up doing something that is completely opposite.
Usage: E.g. 佢又立flag話以後會減肥，點知佢就走左食buffet。
Synonym: 立flag
Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now
Definition: Derived from the Chinese term '內卷' and often translated as 'involution', this is an Englishised code-mixing term that describes an economic situation where excessive competition does not lead to development and innovation. This may lead to people feeling stressed, anxious, and trapped, as the two characters mean 'inside rolling'.
Usage: E.g. I'm stuck in the rat race! I'm so tired of competing with everyone just to climb the career ladder!
Synonym: 內卷
Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjTg1G8rpVc
Definition: An ultra professional code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers especially senior managers to refer to a suitable candidate that can take over an employee's job so they don't have to sound like they are getting just anyone to take over a job for the sake of cutting costs.
Usage: E.g. 之前公司有條友非高層secondment。每個月畀agent 160k 新老細嚟咗即刻炒佢。Replacement 可能一半價錢到 (I had a colleague in my past company who was not a senior level secondment position but paid the agency 160k per month. Then a new boss came and fired him immediately. The replacement could have been half the cost.)
Synonym: 搵人接替
Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2955436/page/2
Definition: An ultra rhotic expression that is added onto the ending of Cantonese characters, which is adopted by Hong Kong celebrity Janice Man to create an ABC accent. Also known as 'JM tone'.
Usage: E.g. 呢一區我淨係試過兩rrrrrrn間餐廳。E.g. 有時候我都幾想rrrrrn去吓旅行。
Reference: https://medium.com/@atsunakai/jm-tone-%E5%8D%B3%E4%BF%82-94e3532186e1
Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they show acceptance towards something or someone. Even though it is often used in informal situations and not written down, it can sometimes be official enough like when a girl accepts a guy during a marriage proposal.
Usage: E.g. 個女人未say yes直接搶佢隻手戴戒指。(The girl didn't even say yes and he grabbed her hand to put on the ring.)
Synonym: 答應
Definition: Known as Kongish and transliterated from '屎忽‘ meaning buttocks, this is a code-mixing phrase used to describe someone who always doesn't do what he or she says will do, somewhat like a faggot or asshole in English.
Usage: E.g. This guy is such a seafood ghost! We always save him a seat at the restaurant but he never turns up!
Synonym: 屎忽鬼
Reference: https://evchk.fandom.com/zh/wiki/%E5%B1%8E%E5%BF%BD%E9%AC%BC
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/
Definition: Known as Kongish and used as '有種' (have seed), this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to not being afraid or having the guts to do something.
Usage: E.g. If you have seed, then I will give you some colour see see! (有種)
Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575
Definition: (Kongish) When something goes completely wrong. Or doesn't work out (fail, flop)
Usage: Sei fo! We didn't prepare for the presentation today. It was a total flop!
Synonym: 死火