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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


114 results found

hiking

Definition: A code-mixing term that westernised Hong Kongers like to use to refer to the sport of walking long distances on mountains because they have gotten so used to it and see it as a hobby rather than something laborious like '行山', which literally translates to 'walk mountain'. Usage: E.g. 今個weekend去唔去hiking呀? 不如今次行遠D呀? (Do you want to go hiking this weekend? What about going on a longer trail?)Synonym: 行山Reference: https://letsgohiking.blog/

copy

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers like to use to refer to a duplicate of something, such as a document. Usage: E.g. 份document整多幾份copy黎呀,唔該。Synonym: 副本

pineapple chicken

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who likes leeching off others. (菠羅雞 - bo1 lo4 gai1) Usage: E.g. That girl is such a pineapple chicken! She just comes every time for the benefits and does not share or contribute.Synonym: 菠羅雞Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/60017/

Hey man

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that westernised Hong Kongers like to use when they want to show their warmth and passion in befriending others, even when they have known a person for just a short while. Usage: E.g. Hey man,近排幾好嗎?(How have you been?) E.g. Hey man,吃左飯未呀?(Have you eaten yet?) E.g. Hey man,不如今餐我請呀?(What about I treat you this meal?)Synonym: 喂,老友

finish

Definition: Often added with a ‘咗’ like the ‘-ed’ form in English for past tense, this is a code-mixing term that is used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to having completed something, such as an event or project. Usage: E.g. 你地finish咗個project未呀? E.g. 終於finish咗個event!Synonym: 完成Reference: https://www.businesstimes.com.hk/articles/157451/創新科技獎學金2024-挑選25位傑出大學生-每人最高15萬港元獎學金/

chur

Definition: 1. (adj). To describe a hectic state where you are so busy that you feel like you cannot breathe. 2. (verb). An Englishised code-mixing term that refers to exhausting oneself in order to get work done in a short period of time, which is usually brought on by demanding customers or people of high authority. Usage: E.g. 今日返工真係好chur呀。(adj) E.g. 哇,呢個客洗唔洗chur到咁盡呀?比條生路人地行吓好嗎?(verb)Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-hea-chok-chur/

urgent

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to demand immediate attention towards a matter without sounding like they are in such a hurry or wanting the other person to hurry the f*** up. Usage: E.g. 呢個係一個urgent既task。B: 明白 (Understood) E.g. 呢個係一個緊急既任務。B: 洗唔洗咁急呀?(Why is there such a hurry?)Synonym: 緊急Reference: https://ezone.hk/article/20052634/香港職場中英夾雜用語-內地網民舉30個例子-表示識粵語都無法理解

please

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to making someone happy, satisfied and giving them pleasure, which is really not an easy task for anyone to do, but at least it doesn't always mean to win someone's favour by flattery like '取悦' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 宣萱自揭離開無綫原因:原來可能要刷鞋,要please一啲你唔想please嘅人,咁我問自己得唔得?唔得。(Jessica Hester Hsuan reveals the reason for leaving TVB: It turns out that you may have to make up to people, to please those who you don't want to please, so I ask myself can I? No.)Synonym: 使滿意, 開心; 取悦Reference: https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20260202/bkn-20260202190138911-0202_00862_001.html

Key

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used with “啱key”, which refers to whether you get along well with somebody. Explanation: like the key in a piece of music. Usage: Eg. 你同你朋友啱唔啱key呀?Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/啱key

Victoria girl

Definition: Derived from Victoria Harbour and upgraded from 'Kong girl', this is a code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to describe a Hong Kong girl who is arrogant, sharp-tongued and overly self-important, like having "blue-blood" princess-like attitude. When compared with the 'Kong girl', the only real difference seems to be that the girl is proud of being called a 'Victoria girl' rather than a 'Kong girl' because the former sounds more elegant and posh while the latter sounds more of a deragatory term. Usage: E.g. I can't believe I went from being an egg tart girl in housing estates to Rosewood hotel-level. I am now a Victoria girl and I'm proud of it.Synonym: 維多利亞妹, 維妹Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUn44TmjESh/?img_index=4&igsh=YWluejFiZm1rdHdp (use mobile version)