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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 783 results

take two

Definition: Originated from a Hong Kong TV advertisement in the 90's, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a second chance, which is most known for warning someone that there is no second chance in life. Usage: E.g. 香港的公益廣告曾有一句廣告詞「生命無『Take two』」很深入人心,意思是說「生命沒有第二次機會,要珍惜生命」(Hong Kong's public service advertisements once had a well-known slogan "There is no 'Take two' in life", which means "there is no second chance in life, we must cherish life".)Synonym: 第二次機會Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1674492649207500800.html

happy

Definition: (verb.) An adjective-turned-verb code-mixing term meaning to enjoy oneself. Usage: E.g. 做人久唔久都要happy一吓先得架嘛。 E.g. 今個週末一齊去happy吓好嗎? E.g. 聽日放工一齊去happy hour啦!(歡樂時光)

report

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers love to use to refer to '報告'. Usage: E.g. 份report幾時搞掂呀?Synonym: 報告Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

vely good

Definition: Often pronounced as 'vely gud', this is a code-mixing expression that grassroots Hong Kongers like to use when they cannot think of any other way to complement or give praise to something.  'Vely' (very) can also be used with other words such as 'delicious', even though delicious already denotes the meaning of excellence in food quality. Usage: E.g. 哇,今次做得好。Vely gud! E.g. 哇,D牛扒真係vely delicious呀!

That's why

Definition: A fancy way of saying 'so' or 'therefore' in Cantonese and to tone down the causal relationship between two items. Usage: E.g. 係喇,你都冇同我講。That’s why我今次冇預到你份。 E.g. 你都冇比錢我。That's why我冇幫你買戲飛。

nine not following eight

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that refers to giving irrelevant responses to questions. Usage: E.g. A:你去邊? B:我知道。A:Nine not following eight!Synonym: 九唔搭八Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-nine-not-following-eight/

dik hon

Definition: (textspeak) Derived from comic book characters having a large drop of sweat on their forehead or hair, this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to feeling speechless and reticent. Dik hon (滴汗) has the literal meaning of 'drip sweat'. Usage: E.g. Your joke is so lame! Dik hon!Synonym: 滴汗

click

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers love to use to refer to selecting something on an electronic device, such as by using a mouse or touchpad. Usage: E.g. 幫手click吓我D廣告啦!Synonym: 點擊Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201705266.pdf

assignment

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong students use to refer to '功課'. Usage: E.g. 喂,聽日交assignment呀,仲係到做咩呀?! E.g. 呢份assignment可以借黎參考嗎?Synonym: 功課Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf

feel

Definition: A chic way of saying the word 'feel' in Cantonese, in order to avoid sounding old-fashioned. Usage: E.g. 晨早樓樓係到食薯片,好唔岩feel喎。(noun) E.g. 喂,你今日著成咁,好MKfeel喎。 (noun) E.g. 我feel到佢對我有意思。(verb) E.g. 我對你已經冇哂feel喇。 (noun)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
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