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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 852 results

concern

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to express worry about something.

Usage: E.g. 最近公司既野收入令到我好concern。

Reference: https://www.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/職場英語-盤點辦公室改不掉的中英夾雜-double-comfirm是錯的/1301-25515

firm

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to describe something or someone being reliable, awesome or decent.

Usage: E.g. 呢間canteen好firm。(This canteen is reliable and decent.) E.g. A: 你今次成績點呀?B: 超Firm呀,一定勁高分!(A: How is your exam result? B: Super awesome, certainly very high marks!)

Synonym: 掂, 穩陣

Reference: https://www.elle.com.hk/life/popular-slangs

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

eat banana

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to tell someone to eat sh*t or cock. (食蕉)

Usage: E.g. Hahaha! You lose this game! Eat banana la!

Synonym: 食蕉

Reference: https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/16113/what-does-蕉-mean-in-cantonese

Gong hei fat choi

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that Hong Kong expats use to wish someone prosperous and good fortune during Chinese New Year. Sometimes , it may be mistaken as 'Happy new year' by non-Cantonese speaking expats, even though there is nothing really wrong with saying it to people excessively. (Variant: Kung hei fat choi)

Usage: E.g. Happy Chinese New Year! Gong hei fat choi! Gong hei fat choi!

Synonym: 恭喜發財

Reference: https://www.zalora.com.hk/blog/lifestyle/kung-hei-fat-choi-meaning-how-to-respond-and-common-cantonese-new-year-blessings/

join

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers often use to refer to the act of becoming a part of a group or party, but sometimes without the responsibility or effort of attending or participating.

Usage: E.g. A: 今晚join唔join個after party? B: Join左喇,不過懶得去囉。(Will you join the after party tonight? B: I have joined already, but I'm too lazy to go.)

Synonym: 加入,參加

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@harpymill/post/DT0laZJDJNR/video-唔好意思係咪太遲join個party尋秦記-豎琴-harp-香港

roommate

Definition: A better sounding code-mixing term that is used in place of '室友'.

Usage: E.g. 朋友:你有幾多個室友? 你:你係話失友還是roommate?

Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

dude

Definition: A slightly more polite sounding code-mixing term that real ABC's in Hong Kong like to use instead the Cantonese equivalent '大佬', meaning 'big brother', even though the literal meaning is usually not taken when used, just like the word 'dude'.

Usage: E.g. Dude,你係到搞D咩呀? E.g. Dude,你好還錢喇喎? E.g. Dude,你以為你自己好型呀?

Synonym: 大佬

eat dead cat

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone being a scapegoat or taking the blame for something that they did not do.

Usage: E.g. I did not cheat in the exam and you made me eat dead cat??!

Synonym: 食死貓

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms

swap

Definition: A code-mixing term that overseas educated Hong Kongers use in place of the Cantonese equivalent '交換'.

Usage: E.g. A:我地swap一個球員好唔好?B:好呀,我同你swap啦。

Synonym: 交換

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