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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


932 results found

sensible

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to acting or speaking appropriately rather than being logical in the technical sense. Also, it usually implies having a good level of spiritual maturity in addition to basic common sense so that one does not say or do stupid things that is disrespectful to others.

Usage: E.g. 睇完艾力訪問姜濤,講嘢都好sensible,其實佢個人真係唔差,心地善良 (After watching Eric's interview with Keung To, I thought his words were very sensible. In fact, Keung To is not really that bad of a person, but is kind-hearted.)

Synonym: 理智

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@aa11yy__/post/DQ64WkTEwpw?xmt=AQG0os4onkNngeDaBXXgpug3rEeIp7OiEA1gUR05-T_52H1LwEOo67WyTueAopajb2mrmGYm&slof=1

service charge

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong restaurants love to use especially during public holiday to refer to the additional fee added to a bill because it sounds more classy than '服務費' and less explicit than '加一' or '加二' in Cantonese, which mean +10% and +20% respectively.

Usage: E.g. A: 吓?食個下午茶都要加二? B: 今日係新年假期,所以有service charge。(A: What? There's +20% service charge even for an afternoon tea? B: Today is Chinese New Year holiday so there is service charge.) E.g. 到底邊個發明加一服務費?(Who on earth invented +10% service charge?)

Synonym: 加一, 加二, 服務費

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2268003/page/4

seven head

Definition: Known as Kongish and derived from '柒頭' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe or scold someone who is stupid and brainless like a dickhead. (龜頭)

Usage: E.g. You seven head go and collect skin! (你個柒頭去收皮啦!)

Synonym: 柒頭

Reference: https://www.topprint2000.com/online-shop/product/1131018/

sh*t

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong celebrity Louis Koo (古天樂) in the TVB episode 'A Step into the Past' (尋秦記) when he was transported into the past to the days of Qin Dynasty.

Usage: E.g. *Wakes up and finds an army of horsemen rushing towards him* Sh*t!

Synonym: 弊, 死喇

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edrNB8DXhmQ

share

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to using or experiencing something together with others without the meaning of splitting apart, while not guaranteeing enjoyment and happiness.

Usage: E.g. 最鍾意share 野! 一餐可以食晒唔同款,正!(I love to share things! Can eat all sorts of food in a meal! Awesome!)

Synonym: 分享; 共用

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@louisling8/post/DHi7b96TcQP/最鍾意share-野-一餐可以食晒唔同款正

sharp

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to being clever and quick-witted as well as having a high degree of punctuality for work.

Usage: E.g. 你要加入我地公司既話,你一定要好sharp。(If you want to join our company, you must be really sharp-minded and punctual.)

Synonym: 醒目; 準時

shocked

Definition: A code-mixing term that a "Jayden Mami" likes to use to express unpleasant surprise while softening the tone in order to make sure the child isn't scared by the mother's emotional state.

Usage: E.g. Jayden, 你喺邊到學人dye埋D hair架? Mami好shocked呀。(Jayden, who did you learn dying your hair from? Mami is so shocked.)

Synonym: 驚訝; 震驚

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXBG2f3kq7D/ (use mobile version)

short

Definition: (adj.) insane; malfunctioning; derived from "short circuit". Often used as "sot sot deih", meaning a little insane.

Usage: E.g. 你契爺凍到short咗. (Your godfather is freezing to the point of insanity.) E.g. 部冷氣機short左。快D搵人黎整返佢啦。

sick leave

Definition: Often used as the short form 'SL', this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a day where an employee is sick and needs to notify their company of their absence, which they often have a hard time explaining to their boss that they were really sick on that day.

Usage: E.g. 最撚仆街係SL完第二日就會俾老細問候你有冇事,然後你做乜嘢老細都會黑面 (The most f***ing stupid thing is that the next day after your sick leave you will be greeted by the boss asking if you are okay, and then no matter what you do the boss will still be dissatisfied.)

Synonym: 病假

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3995179/page/3

situationship

Definition: A code-mixing term that Gen Z native Hong Kongers use to describe a romantic relationship where there are low levels of commitment except for sexual behaviour.

Usage: E.g. A: 你同佢發展成點呀? B: 冇呀,只係situationship。(A: How is your relationship going? B: No, we are just a situationship.)

Synonym: 狀態戀情

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/談情說性/377560/約會新詞-situationship-已經-沉船-但不能隨便跳船

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