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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


766 results found

discount

Definition: A more appealing code-mixing term than the Cantonese equivalent word '折扣', which shopkeepers like to use to attract customers.

Usage: E.g. 今個月清貨大discount。快D入黎慢慢揀啦!

Synonym: 折扣

Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

discuss

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to talk about a topic with someone or a group of people and have them share their ideas and opinions.

Usage: E.g. 不如一齊discuss吓個project點樣做? E.g. 我地discuss吓個問題,然後再結論。可以嗎?

Synonym: 討論

dismiss

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to send somebody away formally and politely, even though at times they may not be taking the other person seriously.

Usage: E.g. *打斷* 我地傾左咁耐,不如就喺到dismiss啦? (*interrupt* We have been talking for so long. What about dismiss here?)

Synonym: 解散

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2842244/page/13

diu

Definition: (vulgar) A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers in place of the expletive f-word in English when one is angry and wants to curse. However, the usage of this term may actually only refer to scolding someone and nothing to do with cursing or having sexual intercourse at all. Sometimes, ‘ed’ or ‘ing’ is added to the verb to indicate tense in case the listener finds it ungrammatical.

Usage: E.g. Diu! I lost the game again! E.g. My teacher diu'ed me for talking in class today. E.g. Stop diuing me! It wasn’t my fault. Are you crazy?!

Synonym: 屌

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DU5Y2vjEzbU/?img_index=2&igsh=MWlxaDBhbHJlYTR6aA== (use mobile version)

dive under water

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to someone who disappeared for a long time and no one knows where they are.

Usage: E.g. A: Where did your classmate go? B: I think he dived under water.

Synonym: 潛水

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/cantonese-slang-of-the-week-diving-under-water

do

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to gestures and customs that an employee must do or learn when they work in a company.

Usage: E.g. 老細黎到仲唔識DO? 快D讓座同沖杯咖啡比佢啦! E.g. 打工仔要識DO先得,如果咪好快冇得撈。

Synonym: 做

Reference: https://www.etnet.com.hk/www/tc/lifestyle/archive/goodjob/23372

don't care three seven twenty one

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe that something must be done no matter how worse the situation is.

Usage: E.g. I don't care three seven twenty one. This project must proceed!

Synonym: 唔理三七廿一

Reference: https://www.ourchinastory.com/zh/5530/何謂「唔理三七廿一」?%C2%A0

dope

Definition: A code-mixing term used by the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department to describe something as very cool and awesome. However, the AI anti-drug video that used this word was taken down due to citizens suspecting that the video was promoting the illegal use of drugs rather than banning it.

Usage: E,g 可樂消暑易入口,幫你提神保持清醒腦筋。超dope!(Coke is refreshing, easy to drink, and helps perk you up and keep your mind sharp. Super dope!)

Synonym: 超正、超酷、超讚

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S19qZb17o2A

double confirm

Definition: Even though the word 'double' may seem redundant, this is a code-mixing expression that is often used in the workplaces of Hong Kong when you want to verify something.

Usage: E.g. 可唔可以double confirm吓個schedule呀? E.g. 唔該幫我double confirm吓每一個detail呀。

Synonym: 雙重確認

Reference: https://smelab.com.hk/職場英語-double-confirm-reconfirm/

down

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to computer that has become unavailable, possibly due to a crash.  Sometimes, it is used as the shortened version of 'download'.

Usage: E.g. 大獲喇!公司server down機呀!快D搵人整呀!(當機) E.g. Down完個file未呀?咁耐既?(下載)

Synonym: 當機; 下載

Reference: https://www.studocu.com/hk/document/city-university-of-hong-kong/world-englishes/lecture-3-city-university-of-hong-kongen5714-world-englishes-and-the-social-context-of/20063922

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