Define Your Term | Login | Sign up
What is code-mixing? | Mission | About | Learn More | FAQ | Commentary | Downloads | Lectures | Videos | Instagram Instagram
English | Chinese

Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


974 results found

awesome

Definition: An overused code-mixing term by real ABC's in Hong Kong when they want to give praise or compliment to something, just like the word '正' in Cantonese but stronger.

Usage: E.g. 哇,今次個concert真係awesome! E.g. Woah! Awesome!

Synonym: 正

bai san

Definition: (adj.) A romanised code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to a style of prayer that is used when visiting ancestor's graves on Ching Ming or Chung Yeung Festival.

Usage: E.g. “In recognition of Chinese tradition, a fung shui expert gave advice on the removal of the School’s centre flag pole, after which a bai-san ceremony was held to bless, bring good fortune and luck to the grounds.”

Synonym: 拜山

Reference: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316181429_A_dictionary_of_Hong_Kong_English_words_from_the_fragrant_harbor

bamboo stick

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a person who is a yellow-skinned Asian but speaks English very well. I.e. Yellow on the outside but white on the inside like a bamboo stick. (竹升)

Usage: E.g. Please don’t treat me like a bamboo stick! (竹升) I know how to speak Chinese!

Synonym: 竹升

Be my guest

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to sound polite and confident when bringing forth a standpoint so that the other person is less likely to challenge them.

Usage: E.g. 我講既野係咪好有理據先? 如果你仲想challenge我,be my guest! (Don't you think I really have a rationale in what I'm saying? If you still want to challenge me, be my guest!)

Synonym: 請便、你隨意、當然可以,別客氣

Be my guest

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers that has evolved to mean more like ‘if you wish to die or find trouble, feel free!’

Usage: E.g. 你覺得朝9晚3 袋10皮係好工嘅be my guest (If you think working 9 to 3am and getting 100k salary a month is a good job, be my guest!)

Synonym: 如果你想死或找麻煩既話,隨便你

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/1905219/page/15

beat

Definition: Originated as 'beat patrol' from London Metropolitan Police, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers often use as 'walking the beat', which refers to patrolling a designated area on foot as a police officer.

Usage: E.g. 警員今日要行 beat。(Police officers need to go on patrol today.)

Synonym: 行咇

Reference: http://paper.wenweipo.com/2018/12/04/WH1812040003.htm

bend machine

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers to describe having an overly powerful ability to do something, such as winning a game.

Usage: E.g. I can't believe you are winning every game! Are you bending machine?!

Synonym: 屈機

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-cantonese-slang-internet

Best

Definition: Often expressed as ‘老best’ meaning 'old best', this is a code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers to refer to a best friend that a person has known for a long time. (呢個好大部分時候係攞嚟應用自己啲friend呀樣表達自己個friend係好老友囉咁樣)

Usage: E.g. 你哋睇下呢個係我老best。(Let me show all of you. This is my old best friend.)

Synonym: 睇下呢個係我個好朋友, 老友, old best friend

Reference: https://mingpaomonthly.com/article/details/語文.書話/2025-02/1737624129007/老best、bestie有咩分別?%20(歐陽偉豪)

Big Ben

Definition: Purportedly to have derived from a lazy accent, this is code-mixing term used by Hong Kong local students to refer to the famous Korean boy band Big Bang.

Usage: E.g. 我上個禮拜先去完London呀,睇呢個Big Ben呀。現場睇好震撼架。Bang bang bang呀。你知唔知一票難求呀,唔係個個都有得睇架。(E.g. I just went to London last week to see Big Bang. The live performance was so thrilling. Bang bang bang ah. Do you know that it was so hard to get a ticket? Not everyone can watch it.)

Synonym: Big Bang

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DctSl4XSlAx/?igsi=MTYwam84MTNjb3FieA== (use mobile version)

big lemon coke

Definition: Known as Kongish and derived from '大檸樂', this is a more euphemistic way of saying the vulgar expression '大撚鑊', which means a big f***ing serious trouble has occurred.

Usage: E.g. I forgot to hand in my assignment yesterday. Big lemon coke!

Synonym: 大檸樂

Define Your Term | Download App | Learn More | Home
Feel free to send your comments and suggestions to info@megaexplorer.net.