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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


463 results found

dan so

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term that refers to 'dancing society'. Usage: E.g. 同學:你參加左咩so呀?你:dan so囉。內地學生:什麼?你:唔好意思。係dancing society呀。Synonym: 跳舞學會

well-received

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by grassroots Hong Kongers when they want to express gratitude for something they have received, such as an email with an attachment. However, the working class Hong Kongers realise that this is probably not such a suitable term for them to use so they say 'Noted/Received with thanks'. Usage: E.g. Well-received with thanks. Synonym: 收到Reference: https://graduate.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/35656/電郵技巧|商用電郵|職場英語-10個打工仔常犯的英文email錯誤-please-kindly-well-received-with-thanks-都係錯-內附正確寫法

grad

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term that refers to the verb 'graduate'.  Sometimes, it is used as a noun. Usage: E.g. 同學:你唔係怕grad唔到呀嗎? 同事:你做左幾年野?。你:我係fresh grad黎架。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

cert

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term that refers to 'certificate'. Usage: E.g. 我終於考到張cert喇!

dup

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term for 'duplicate'. (verb) Usage: E.g. 呢part好似dup多左次。 E.g. 你dup多份做template,然後再改會好D。

mute

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to a person's microphone being muted while in a meeting. Usage: E.g. 同事:喂,我聽唔到呀,你mute左呀。快D搵人叫佢unmute返啦。

pro

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term for 'professional'. (adjective) Usage: E.g. 哇,你打tennis好pro呀。可以叫你一聲大佬嗎? E.g. 耳機都買到咁靚?洗唔洗咁pro呀?

click

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to being able to like and understand someone. Usage: E.g. 我覺得我同你click唔到。Synonym: 相處融洽Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2736661/page/3

war game

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to a simulated military battle game where air guns are used. It is more appropriate to use than the Cantonese equivalent ‘野戰‘ because fighting a wild battle has sexual connotations in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 男:不如一齊打war game好嗎? 女:好呀 (Boy: What about playing war game together? Girl: Sure!) E.g. 男:不如一齊打野戰好嗎?女:*啪!* (Boy: What about fighting a wild battle together? Girl: *Slap!*Synonym: 野戰Reference: https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/lin/cbrc/cbcl/doc/ppt/david_li.pdf

alma mater

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to the school that a person had graduated from. However, working class and grassroots Hong Kongers may know this term but not use it because it sounds too Latin than English. Hence, they find ‘mother school’ is more sensible and practical to use. Usage: E.g. 你既alma mater係邊間學校?Synonym: 母校, mother schoolReference: https://youtube.com/shorts/Br8CWgYQNak?si=aFaIMvdv2YSnCxvh