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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


48 results found

dead air

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '冷場' (laang5 ceong4), which literally translates to 'cold scene'. Usage: E.g. 考口試最緊要唔好dead air。Synonym: 冷場Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

list

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '列出'. Usage: E.g. List哂D item落張紙先,然後去超市買野就唔會唔記得。Synonym: 列出Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

flirt

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers often use to refer to chatting up or teasing someone in a playful manner, in order to show that you are interested in them romantically. Sometimes, it can be used interchangebly with '溝' in Cantonese, even though by definition it should be considered a technique rather than pursuing someone seriously. Usage: E.g. 條仔想flirt我,但係我冇理佢。(The guy wanted to flirt with me, but I did not pay him attention.) E.g. A: 唔好成日掛住溝女啦。B: Flirt吓姐,唔係溝。(A: Stop picking up girls all the time. B: Just flirting, not really pursuing.)Synonym: 打情罵俏Reference: https://www.threads.com/@tlyice._.1003/post/DH3K3QMz8_0?xmt=AQF0IPXN1NG4bUNCpCoEWK9j1nBrmidnUCWWQbO5UkWBZorXUuAW_rk2rnqngc_G0_Uo5TM&slof=1

give you some color see see

Definition: A euphemistic way of saying to somebody that you want to teach them a lesson or show them what you've got. (比D顏色你睇) Usage: E.g. 咁寸?! Let me give you some color see see!Synonym: 比D顏色你睇

Mouse(屎)

Definition: Often added with a 屎, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kong people use instead of 滑鼠, meaning 'slippery mouse'. Usage: Eg. 個mouse(屎)幾靚喎。喺邊到買?Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk

work from home

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used by Hong Kongers instead of '在家工作'. Usage: E.g. 我今日真係爽呀,可以work from home。成日煲netflix都得啦!Synonym: 在家工作

hello

Definition: Often pronounced as 'ha-lo', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers often use to greet somebody instead of '你好', which sounds too formal sometimes. Usage: E.g. Ha-lo,我叫Peter。你叫咩名?

download

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to downloading files from the internet. ('下載') Sometimes, it is shortened to 'down' instead. Usage: E.g. Download個file落黎,再send比我呀唔該。Synonym: 下載

post

Definition: A more informal and linguistically efficient way of saying the Cantonese equivalent term '上傳'. Often pronounced as 'po' instead of 'post'. Usage: E.g. 喂,你今次po張相好鬼靚喎。

Eat Cha SIU

Definition: This is a Cantonese slang that refers to a situation where a player has a clear opportunity to score a point. The slangs origin comes from a volleyball game where a sports announcer said "Cha SIU" instead of the word "chance". Although the word came from a volleyball game initially, it's more widely used in badminton games. Usage: That was a total set up for a smash, total Cha SIU! Synonym: 食叉燒Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-生舊叉燒好過生你-better-to-give-birth-to-char-siu-than-you/#:~:text=Sik6%20caa1%20siu,back%20into%20its%20own%20court.