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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


568 results found

refer

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to recommend a candidate for a vacant position. Usage: E.g. 如果你識到朋友做呢行,可以refer佢比我地嗎?Synonym: 推薦, 介紹Reference: https://goop.ai/topic/2r3f/尋英文補習教學partner

gg

Definition: Derived from 'good game' in English, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a bad situation, such as not completing work before a deadline. (完蛋了) Usage: E.g. 今晚做唔哂D野真係gg喇。點算呀?(完蛋了)Reference: https://www.csb.gov.hk/hkgcsb/eon/190/190/190_3.html

ying

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe something or someone that is cool, handsome, or stylish. (型 - ying4) Usage: E.g. Wa! You look so ying today! (型)Synonym: 型Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/8-colloquialisms-unique-to-cantonese

moment

Definition: Originated from a Steven Chow movie, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe a brief period of time where one wants to unleash his potential. (瞬間) Usage: E.g. 我醬爆感覺到,喺呢個moment,要爆喇Synonym: 瞬間Reference: https://www.hk01.com/電影/46299/愛-回帶-少林足球-醬爆-變漲爆-何文輝愈撈愈掂

figure out

Definition: This is a code-mixing phrase that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '諗到' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 我暫時仲未figure out到點樣solve個problem。Reference: https://english.cool/code-switching/

dead

Definition: (verb) This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a deadline for task. Usage: E.g. 同事:份report幾時dead呀? 上司:今日dead左喇!仲喺到問!Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

Skype

Definition: Often pronounced as 'Skypy', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the instant messaging software 'Skype'. Usage: E.g. 你幾時得閒呀?我想用Skypy打比你呀。Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/633876/港式英語-19個英文字港人常讀錯-釘橋-cam錢-janet讀到似中文

OT

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to working overtime. Sometimes, it is used as '冬OT' (winter OT), which means 'don't OT'. Usage: E.g. A:死喇,咁多野做。唔知今晚要OT到幾時呢?B:冬OT!Synonym: 加班Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

sir

Definition: Often used as 'Ah sir' (阿sir), this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a male teacher. (Also see 'Missy' for female teacher) Usage: E.g. 阿sir,我今日冇帶功課。可唔可以唔好罰我呀?Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

sharp

Definition: 1. (adj) A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to describe a person being clever or quick to notice things. Sometimes, it is used as 'sharp醒'. 2. (adj) Used to describe someone's appearance as being too eye-catching. Usage: E.g. 哇,乜今日咁sharp醒呀?咁快做哂D野? E.g. 呢件衫D顏色太sharp喇。Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html
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