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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


707 results found

effective communication

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by working class Hong Kongers who believe that making use of profanity is only for the sake of communicating effectively because a person can still be good-hearted regardless.

Usage: E.g. 真心 小弟現實真係冇咁爛口 講粗口都係為咗Effective Communication 盡量都對事不對人 認真講句 講粗口唔緊要 最重要係心地善良 (To be honest, I'm really not that much of a bad mouth. Swearing is for effective communication. I always try to focus on the problem and not people. Seriously, it doesn't matter if you swear. The most important thing is to be kind-hearted.)

Synonym: 有效溝通

Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/BAaB6Mq45i/

eight woman

Definition: (vulgar) Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to describe a female person who is nosy and meddles in other people's business. Similar to 'bitch' in English. Literal meaning of 八婆: eight old woman

Usage: E.g. Mind your own business, eight woman! (八婆) E.g. Are you done messing around, die eight woman?! (死八婆) E.g. You are such an eight woman! (正八婆)

Synonym: 八婆

Reference: https://www.secretchina.com/news/b5/2013/11/29/521805.html

elaborate

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local and overseas educated Hong Kongers when they want to testify a person's knowledge or believe that the other person can be more eloquent in expressing their ideas.

Usage: E.g. 唔好意思。我唔明你講咩喎。你可以elaborate一吓嗎?(I’m sorry. But I don’t understand what you are talking about. Can you elaborate?)

Synonym: 詳細說明

encore

Definition: Pronounced as 'N-call', this is a code-mixing term used to get the performer to sing one more time at the end of a concert.

Usage: E.g.今次演唱會唔知會ENCORE幾多次呢? E.g. Encore!!!我今次要encore到爆為止!

Synonym: 唱多一次

end up

Definition: A euphemistic way of refering to the end of something, as saying something is at a final stage is considered bad luck in Cantonese sometimes.

Usage: E.g. 唔知佢end up會做D咩呢? E.g. 上次個project end up成點呀? E.g. 佢上個暑假end up左去台灣。

engineer

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers love to use to refer to a programmer or developer especially if they are one themselves because it makes them sound like a profession.

Usage: E.g. A: 你做咩IT行業? 寫program嗰D? B: 唔係。我係engineer。(What kind of IT industry are you from? Are you a programmer? B: No, I am an engineer.)

Synonym: 工程師

Reference: https://tecky.io/zh_Hant/blog/Programmer-分多少種-2022-23/

enjoy

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to taking pleasure from doing something. Sometimes, it can also be used intransitively as a verb to describe a state of mind where one is having a good time.

Usage: E.g. 每次暴雨或者打風,唔知點解我都好enjoy。(Whenever there is heavy rain or typhoon, I don't know why I really enjoy it.)

Synonym: 享受

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3973322/page/1

enough ginger

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to having enough guts to do something. (夠薑)

Usage: E.g. If you have enough ginger, then fight me!

Synonym: 夠薑

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

exact7ly

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students when they absol-f***ing-lutely agree with what the other person is saying. In other cases, it can be used as an adverb to describe something resembles the appearance or description of another thing.

Usage: E.g. A: 你老友今日病左所以唔食buffet? B: Exact7ly. (A: Your friend couldn't eat buffet today because he is sick? B: E-f***ing-xactly. E.g. 你同你弟弟個樣exact7ly一模一樣。(You and your brother look exactly the f***ing same.)

Synonym: 正柒是

Reference: https://www.facebook.com/100069834671890/posts/9250444321648514/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Excellent

Definition: Used in a famous quote in the movie of Night King, this is a code-mixing term used by Hong Kong celebrity Dayo Wong (黃子華) to emphasize that nothing can beat something that is truly excellent.

Usage: E.g. 乜能都唔及Excellent. (Nothing can compare to Excellent.)

Synonym: 頂級

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM1q2CIepLQ

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