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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


936 results found

menu

Definition: A code-mixing term used by grassroots Hong Kongers who prefer a QR code rather than a physical a food menu when they eat at a high class restaurant.

Usage: E.g. 入到居酒屋見到張menu唔識叫。(On entering the Izakaya restaurant, I saw the menu but didn't know how to order.)

Synonym: 餐牌

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3970505/page/1

menu

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to the list of dishes available at a restaurant. (餐牌)

Usage: E.g. 伙記,唔該比個menu我睇呀。

Synonym: 餐牌

Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

mute

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to a person's microphone being muted while in a meeting.

Usage: E.g. 同事:喂,我聽唔到呀,你mute左呀。快D搵人叫佢unmute返啦。

push

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to persuading someone forcefully to do or achieve something.

Usage: E.g. 資優學生唔需要push佢地做,係咁依點下就ok。(There is no need to push talented students, as you just need to guide them casually.)

Synonym: 逼迫;催逼

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/337010/page/1

quit

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers as a more casual way of referring to stop doing a job because no one likes to mention the formality of resigning from a job which can be really tedious.

Usage: E.g. 份工返得好辛苦真係好想quit 但quit左又會覺得自己好無用 (The job is very hard and I really want to quit, but I will feel very useless if I quit.)

Synonym: 辭職

Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/BASKN5LYyF/

siu4

Definition: Derived from ‘笑死’ (laugh die), this is a Kongish code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers on the internet when they want to laugh out loud, just like LOL in English.

Usage: E.g. This comedy movie was so funny! Siu4!

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-internet-and-texting-slang-to-use-right-now

Sure

Definition: A code-mixing term that real ABC's like to use to show that they are always glad to do a favour for someone.

Usage: E.g. Sure!No problem!拜托喺我身上啦。 E.g. Sure!我同你去Starbucks買杯咖啡啦。 E.g. Sure!我幫你比住錢先啦。

sure

Definition: Often pronounced in two syllables as 'shu-ah' and used with ‘唔‘ (not), this is a cool sounding code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to express absolute uncertainty over a subject matter in an informal setting.

Usage: E.g. 佢係唔係好叻?我唔sure。(Is he really smart? I am not sure.) E.g. 今日會唔會落雨?我唔sure。(Will it rain today? I am not sure.) E.g. 佢阿媽係唔係女人?我唔sure。(Is his mom a woman? I am not sure.)

Synonym: 肯定

Reference: https://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=30817621

bonus

Definition: A chic-sounding code-mixing term that refers to year-end bonus (花紅) in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 你間公司今個年尾有bonus嗎?

Synonym: 花紅

Reference: https://aclanthology.org/O09-5003.pdf

focus

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to a less physical directing of attention onto something. Sometimes, it may be used in order to avoid sounding like one has ADHD.

Usage: E.g. 老師,我頭先focus唔到聽書,可唔可以再講多次?(Teacher, I really can't focus on listening to your lecture. Can you repeat again?)

Synonym: 專注; 集中

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/CynQSwpSd-P/?img_index=5 (use mobile version)

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