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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


791 results found

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

close

Definition: A more suitable way to describe how close a relationship is than the word ‘親密’ (intimate).

Usage: E.g. 你同你個friend close唔close架?E.g. 你有幾多個close friend?

Synonym: 親密

cls

Definition: (textspeak, vulgar) A Kongish code-mixing term derived from '痴撚線', which is used to describe someone who has gone crazy or insane. (Also see 'chi sin'.)

Usage: E.g. CLS公司俾得果幾千蚊人工仲要人日日OT..

Synonym: 痴撚線

Reference: https://hkdic.my-helper.com/CLS/

clubbing

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to going to bars and clubs because they find the Cantonese equivalent terms a lot more suitable for a mature audience.

Usage: E.g. A: 去唔去clubbing呀?B: 你指係邊啲?A: 緊唔係夜總會啦!(A: Do you want to go clubbing? B: Which type are you referring to? A: Of course not nightclubs!)

Synonym: 夜店,夜總會

Reference: https://jyutdictionary.com/dictionary/entry/夜總會

collect skin

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to tell somebody to shut the f**k up. It is used instead of the Cantonese equivalent '收皮' in order to tone down the directness of this very rude phrase. It originates from street vendors who used to pack their things up on wooden mats when police arrived back in those days of Hong Kong.

Usage: E.g. 喂,講完未呀?Collect skin啦。E.g. 真係頂你唔順呀,快D collect skin啦。

Synonym: 收皮

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now?utm_campaign=likeshopme&utm_medium=instagram&utm_source=dash+hudson&utm_content=www.instagram.com/p/Cy8AD_WtaxO/ (use mobile version)

com

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term meaning 'compromise'.

Usage: E.g. 香港人:我地雙方要com吓先得,OK?內地人:說什麼?香港人:COMPROMISE。 E.g. 你:我知道我地好多野都唔係好夾,不過我地com吓咪得囉。朋友:我com你老X!

Synonym: 妥協

common

Definition: Often pronounced as ‘cummun’, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to express how common something is without making it sound unpopular or nothing special.

Usage: E.g. 做呢個行業好common架咋。(This occupation is so common!)

Synonym: 普遍, 普通

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/C04Br91vuJT/ (use mobile version)

common friend

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to a mutual friend or a friend in common.

Usage: E.g. 佢係我地個common friend黎架。 E.g. 我地唔係好熟,不過有好多common friend。

Synonym: 共同朋友

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP2Tu1kqrQc&t=4s

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

complain

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers as a less official way of grumbling or whining about something just to vent off one's anger because doing this formally might just require a bit too much paperwork.

Usage: E.g. 我要complain你啲attitude囉,好差呀你哋公司,I won't come again. 叫你哋最大粒同我出嚟!我要complain!(I have to complain about your attitude, the bad things about your company, and I won't come again. Ask your most senior guy to come out! I want to complain!)

Synonym: 投訴

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/226740/page/6

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