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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


641 results found

invite

Definition: A code-mixing term that westernised Hong Kongers often use to ask someone to go to an event in a polite and semi-formal manner. Usage: E.g. A: 可唔可以叫埋我個friend黎?B: 好呀,等我invite埋佢啦。(A: Can you get my friend to come as well? B: Sure, let me invite him.)Synonym: 邀請Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2051830/page/2

debate

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students love to use to refer to having an argument with another person in a peaceful, academic manner. Usage: E.g. 我同我個男朋友平時好鍾意嗌交,嗌吓呢樣又嗰樣,不過都係debate姐。(I like to argue with my boyfriend all the time, about this and that, but it's just debating.)Synonym: 辯論Reference: https://www.threads.com/@yyanchi._/post/C3_6NO0ySjE?hl=zh-hk

solicitor

Definition: A code-mixing term that overseas educated Hong Kongers use to refer to the kind of lawyer occupation that mostly deals with documents but actually goes to court proceedings at times. Usage: E.g. A: 你係咪做solicitor? 咁咪唔洗上court? B: 都要上court架,少啲咋麻。(A: Are you a solictor? Does that mean you don't need to go to court? B: I need to go to court, but relatively less.)Synonym: 事務律師Reference: https://cph-legal.com/2022/03/how-to-ace-a-job-interview-at-a-law-firm/

gay

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who has an interest in the same gender without making it sound so clear and explicit in case someone is eavesdropping. At other times, it can be used to describe something as awkward such as a plot in a story or film. Usage: E.g. A: 我想問你一個問題:你係咪gay架? B: 唔好喇掛,我唔想搞gay。 (A: I want to ask you a question: Are you gay? B: No thanks, I don't want to be gay.) E.g. A: 今次套電影好睇嗎?B: 我覺得啲劇情好gay囉。(A: Do you like the movie this time? B: I think the story is really gay.)Synonym: 同性戀, 搞gayReference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/1088/

Robert

Definition: Often used as an idiom, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a stupid person. (For female version, see 'Lulu') Usage: E.g. 唔好當我係Robert喎! (Stop treating me like a stupid person!)

MTR

Definition: Pronounced as 'm-tee-ah-lo', this is a code-mixing term used by the grassroot class Hong Kongers to refer to the train station. Usage: E.g. Foreigner: Excuse me, where is the MTR? HK'er: What? Foreigner: Where is the 'm-tee-ah-lo'? HK'er: Oh I understand! 'm-tee-ah-lo' is over there!

charge

Definition: 1. A code-mixing term that refers to a payment for goods or services. 2. Often pronounced as '差廚' (caa1 cyu4), this is a code-mixing term that is used by Hong Kongers to refer to being charged for a crime. Usage: E.g. 呢間餐廳有冇minimum charge? E.g. 今次冇落charge?!真幸運!

sync

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to whether people are on the same page of a situation or task. Usage: E.g. 我覺得我地唔係好sync。可唔可以catch up一吓我地做既野?Synonym: 同步Reference: https://www.cw.com.tw/article/5114233

dress code

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to the rules being set on how you should wear for a situation or event. Usage: E.g. 聽晚要去公司function?有冇話咩dress code呀?Synonym: 服裝規範Reference: https://www.englishok.com.tw/toeic/toeic-issue/crystal_lee_english_speaking
Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to acting dumb and innocent in order to win someone, such as in a card game. Usage: E.g. I know you've got an ace up your sleeves! Stop pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger!Synonym: 扮豬食老虎Reference: https://ling-app.com/yue/cantonese-slang-words/