157 results found
Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that working class Hong Kongers use to describe a business structure that scams people and is prone to collapse or failure, as 'chicken' (雞) in Cantonese can also be used to describe something cheap or weak.
Usage: E.g. This company has people coming to work and leaving the job all the time! Such build chicken shed!Synonym: 搭雞棚Reference: https://ukdodgy.com/2024/04/06/scam
Definition: Often transliterated and pronounced as the loan phrase '肥佬' meaning 'fat guy', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe getting an unsuccessful result when doing something. Sometimes, it can be shortened to '肥' (fat) as a verb.
Usage: E.g. 哎呀！今次考試肥左佬！
E.g. 唔係掛？考咁多次都肥？！Synonym: 肥佬Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/16296/
Definition: Originated from the warning sounds of the bells when a tram is driving in Hong Kong, this is an Englishised code-mixing term which refers to the tram that can be taken in the Hong Kong Tramways on Hong Kong Island.
Usage: Let's take a tour of Hong Kong Island by taking the Ding Ding!Synonym: 叮叮, 電車Reference: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/explore/attractions/hong-kong-tramways.html
Definition: Derived from 'gut' (吉) meaning nothingness or tangerines, this is a romanised code-mixing slang phrase used to describe someone is messing about and wasting time, which purportedly comes from people in the past going into Hong Kong stores just to drink the bowl of soup called 'gut' soup (吉湯) without spending money on the food at all. 'wun' can mean to mix (混) or to transport (運).
Usage: Auntie: Stop tasting my fruits here and there! Are you wun gut?Synonym: 運吉, 混吉Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now
Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that Hong Kong expats use when they don't understand what someone is saying in Cantonese.
Usage: Hong Konger: 你叫咩名? Expat: Mm sick teng.Synonym: 唔識聽Reference: https://geoexpat.com/forum/53/thread22332-2.html
Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers like to use to refer to a distinctive characteristic by which someone or something can be identified.
Usage: E.g. 中英夾雜絕對係香港人signature。
E.g. 呢碟菜就係呢間餐廳既signature。Synonym: 標誌，招牌菜Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ
Definition: A code-mixing term that the Hong Kong actor Dicky Cheung (張衛健) loves to use in the "Journey of the West" Cantonese TV episode, in order to display the almighty character of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King.
Usage: E.g. Yo！打妖精咋麻，洗乜驚呀？！Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtl4WF0RwWI&t=224s
