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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


496 results found

qualie

Definition: Pronounced as 'call-lee' with a rising tone on the second syllable, this code-mixing term is used by native Hong Kongers to refer to the English word 'qualification'. Often used together with the word 'show' to mean 'show off'. Usage: E.g. 你冇qualie就唔好係到扮哂野啦。 E.g. 你唔好係到掛住show qualie啦,兄弟。 E.g. 睇唔出你咁有qualie喎。

present

Definition: An irreplaceable code-mixing term meaning to deliver a speech, as saying the Cantonese equivalent term '匯報' would sound too old school and non-colloquial. Usage: E.g. 你幾時要present呀? E.g. 今次份assignment難唔難present呀?Reference: https://www.academia.edu/8666953/Common_usage_of_code-mixing_among_trilingual_Hong_Kongers

potential

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to display your level of knowledge, as if you come from higher education background. Usage: E.g. 老闆:我覺得呢個idea好有potential。快D走去落實啦。 E.g. 我覺得你個人好有potential。不過就寸左D。

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。

outlook

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often misused by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong to mean 'outfit'. Usage: E.g. BB豬,我今日個outlook係咪好靚呀?Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/128449/你是否-偽abc-chill-中文意思係咩-10個港人常用錯英文字

opportunity

Definition: A more sophisticated way of expressing chance (機會) in Cantonese, as the English term denotes prospect for advancement or success. Usage: E.g. 好多謝貴公司今日比呢個opportunity我地黎做個presentation.

Of course

Definition: A phrase used by native Hong Kongers to affirm that something is true or obvious, usually among friends and relatives in informal settings, especially with the particle 'la' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 朋友: 今日出街記住載口罩。 你:Of course啦! E.g. 女朋友: 哇,你好叻呀。 你:Of course啦! E.g. 男朋友: 估唔到你咁醒目。 你:Of course啦!

mon

Definition: Derived from 'monitor', this is a highly efficient use of one's eyes to keep track of the progress of somebody or something. Sometimes, even without the use of one's eyes. Usage: E.g. 喂,我咪喺度做緊野囉。你唔洗成日喺度mon住我嘛! E.g. 你:喂,大佬。你唔洗成日打電話黎mon住我嘛?!!對方:大佬?!你邊隻眼見到我mon住你呀?!! E.g. D股市跳得咁勁要成日搵人mon住先得架。

man

Definition: A noun-turned-adjective code-mixing term used to describe someone who is manly. Usage: E.g. 哇!你今日冇剃鬚好man呀! E.g. 得閒去吓gym鍛鍊吓肌肉先至夠man架嘛。

make sense

Definition: A convenient English phrase used by native Hong Kongers to avoid going into negative detail about someone who does not understand you. Usage: E.g. 朋友: 喂,你講野好唔make sense喎。你:真的嗎? E.g. 我覺得你講野make sense,不過我唔係太明。 E.g. 你講野都唔make sense,廢鬼事再聽你講。