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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


373 results found

ging

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term often used by the younger generation to describe something or someone as very skillful or powerful. (勁) Usage: E.g. You won the competition?! Ho ging ah! (Very outstanding) E.g. You are so ging at basketball! (Very skillful) E.g. This computer is so ging! (Very powerful)Synonym: 勁Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%2520alternative%2520to%2520“hou%2520ging,jeng”%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who does not show gratitude to those who helped him/her after a goal is reached. Usage: E.g. I have helped you reach your goal and you complete forget about me? So does that mean you finished the ritual and ditch the monk?Synonym: 打完齋唔要和尚Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/打完齋唔要和尚

on9

Definition: (vulgar, textspeak) A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who's idiotic and stupid. It originated from the Cantonese words '憨鳩' because the '鳩' (penis) has a similar pronunciation as the number 9 in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. Why did you piss on me? Are you on9? (憨鳩) E.g. Don't be so on99 and watch where you're going! (憨鳩鳩)Synonym: 憨鳩Reference: https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=28512

fall country fall city

Definition: Derived from the idiom '傾國傾城', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase used to describe women that are so devastatingly beautiful that they can make a country or city fall. Usage: E.g. The girls in this club are so fall country fall city!Synonym: 傾國傾城

fresh carrot skin

Definition: Originated from the olden days where the upper class loved to wear old sheepskin of high quality, this is a Kongish code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to describe someone who has low social status and tries to mimick the upper class by wearing cheap quality clothing that matches the appearance of expensive clothing. ie. The white colour and look of fresh carrot skin resembles the look of old sheepskin. Usage: E.g. You think you are so high class? What kind of fresh carrot skin are you?Synonym: 新鮮蘿蔔皮Reference: https://voltra.academy/blog/canton2

scare die me

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that working class Hong Kongers use when they are scared and freaked out by something. Usage: E.g. Scare die me! You are so early in office today?!Synonym: 嚇死我Reference: https://graduate.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/20239/2025職場英語-別再說-LIST-OUT-10大常見港式英語錯誤-外國人都聽唔明-4個戒掉港式英語必學的商業用語及常用英式廣東話一覽

seed

Definition: Known as Kongish and used as '有種' (have seed), this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to not being afraid or having the guts to do something. Usage: E.g. If you have seed, then I will give you some colour see see! (有種)Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

jeng

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used to describe something that is very good or awesome. Usage: E.g. The food is so jeng! (正) E.g. The movie was ho jeng ah! (好正呀)Synonym: 正Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%20alternative%20to%20“hou%20ging,jeng”%20if%20something%20is%20awesome.

proud of

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers when they want to show how pleased they are towards someone’s achievements, but want to sound less show-off or exaggerated about their feeling. Usage: E.g. 你考試咁高分,我好proud of你呀。(You scored so high in the exam. I am so proud of you.)Synonym: 驕傲,自豪Reference: https://www.threads.com/@grace_interest_english/post/DDthgzMyHsU

snake king

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to slacking off at work. Usage: E.g. Don't be such a snake king all the time! Get some work done!Synonym: 蛇王