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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


100 results found

uncle feet

Definition: Derived from the punning of '縮腳' with '叔' (uncle) having a similar pronunciation as '縮' (to shrink) , this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that is used to tell someone to watch their feet. Usage: Eg. I am mopping the floor. Uncle feet!Synonym: 縮腳Reference: https://youtu.be/_3hhDIErE2g?si=SLsZUTCKhV5cfm8x

ding

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to express frustration or distress when one encounters a problem. Usage: E.g. Ding! I missed the bus! (頂) E.g. Ding your lungs! How dare you talk to me like this? (頂你個肺)Reference: https://ovolohotels.com/ovolo/blog/7-cantonese-slangs-guaranteed-to-impress-a-local/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CDing!&text=Definition%3A%20It's%20simply%20another%20way,and%20shout%2C%20%E2%80%9CDING!%E2%80%9D

friend

Definition: (adj) Often pronounced as 'fan', this is a noun-turned-adjective code-mixing term used to describe the degree of a friendship. Usage: E.g. 你係咪同佢好fan架? E.g. 喂,你唔好扮哂好fan咁喎。我都唔係識左你好耐。 E.g. 其實我同你唔係好fan。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

tissue

Definition: Pronounced as 'tee-suu', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers have grown up with and got used to instead of the equivalent term in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 請問有冇tissue呀?。E.g. 唔該比張tissue黎呀,唔該。

kam

Definition: Pronounced as the fifth tone in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to something or someone that is strange or embarrassing. Usage: E.g. 下次唔好入錯課室咁kam喇。 E.g. 佢份人真係好kam!Reference: https://www.stheadline.com/culture/3230860/香港潮語2023香港40個最新潮語結集-壞過婉婷升級版係咩啱呀唔係附和你

cut my head and let you sit on it as a chair

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to strongly express promise in doing something when the other person does not believe in you. (批個頭比你當凳坐) Usage: E.g. If I don't return my money back to you by tomorrow, then I cut my head and let you sit on it as a chair!!!Synonym: 批個頭比你當凳坐Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

cleansing foam

Definition: Pronounced as 'cleansing form', this is a code-mixing term used by celebrity Janice Man to refer to the facial treatment item 'cleansing foam'. Usage: E.g. 我通常眼同埋嘴就用左油既,即係remover,oil remover去落左先,跟住就會全面再用呢一個cleansing water再全面抺一次,跟住先至用落裝油全面再洗一次,再用cleansing form全面就再落裝咁樣。咁所以其實都有四五個step囉。Reference: https://medium.com/@girlslearnenglish/你說話會中英夾雜嗎-被-污名化-的中英夾雜-why-code-mixing-is-totally-fine-32eb1f280ca

fans

Definition: Pronounced as 'fan-see' with a rising intonation on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to admirers of a person, such as a celebrity.  Sometimes, the transliteration of the word '粉絲' is used instead. Usage: E.g. 我係你既忠心fans黎架。同我影張相好嗎?Synonym: 粉絲

9up

Definition: (textspeak) Derived from '狗噏' meaning 'dog uttering', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to talking non-sense, like bullsh*t. It is also often pronounced as '鳩噏' as a vulgar expression. Usage: E.g. Stop 9up and bragging about your achievements all the time! (唔好成日喺到鳩噏車大炮啦!)Synonym: 狗噏, 鳩噏Reference: https://evchk.fandom.com/zh/wiki/9up

del

Definition: Pronounced as 'dee', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers to refer to using the 'delete' button on a keyboard to get rid of something when using the computer. Usage: E.g. Del左呢個paragraph,再加返個conclusion,然後再send比我啦。Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201902353/201902353_1.pdf