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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


314 results found

easy

Definition: A jubilant, nonchalant way of showing off to your friends. Used together with 'juice' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 哎呀!今次唔洗溫書都實pass啦!Easy汁啦!

deadline

Definition: A code-mixing term often used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to the day that work must be handed in and finalised. Usage: E.g. 老闆:下次知道要搞咁耐就早D返公司喇。 下屬:你話有野要交比個客睇,但係冇話過係deadline喎。 E.g. 老闆:今日係deadline,做唔完野要OT。 下屬:D野一早就做哂喇。

class

Definition: This is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to social class.  However, it is often pronounced as 'car' or 'car屎' by grassroot class Hong Kongers. Usage: E.g. 喂呢間餐廳好high car屎喎。 E.g. 今日洗唔洗著到咁high car屎呀? E.g. 唔好成日扮到咁high car啦。中左六合彩咩?

claim

Definition: This is a code-mixing term used to refer to claiming money.  However, it is often pronounced as 'kam' by grassroot class Hong Kongers. Usage: E.g. 請問讀完個course有冇得kam返d錢架? E.g. 請問d飯錢可唔可以問返公司kam架?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

case

Definition: A generic code-mixing term used for a number of Chinese words meaning 'case', in order to maximise communicative efficiency. Usage: E.g. 喂,阿John。同我follow下個case得嗎?(個案) E.g. 今次呢單case好似唔簡單。(案件) E.g. 呢個病人個case睇嚴重D喎。(病情) E.g. 我明白你個case。(情況)

By the way

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to avoid seeming as if you have almost forgotten to mention something. Usage: E.g. By the way, 你可唔可以幫我搞掂埋呢份proposal? E.g. By the way, 你今晚幾時得閒呀?

auntie

Definition: A polite way of addressing a stranger, usually a much older person, when you meet them for the first time. Usage: E.g. 哈佬Auntie,你好呀! E.g. 仔仔,快D叫聲Auntie啦。Reference: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3048345/hong-kong-comes-alive-learning-cantonese-make-sure-you-know

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!

champagne

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who have more than a regular habit of drinking champagnes. Usage: E.g. 今日係禮拜五晚,我地黎支champagne嗱?!

anyhow

Definition: Usually placed at the start of a clause or sentence, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to replace the phrase '無論如何', meaning 'no matter what' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 我知你好忙,但anyhow,你一定要幫我。