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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary
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237 results found

native

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to someone who was born or grew up in a particular country, which Hong Kongers find it a lot more convenient to use than the Cantonese equivalent words because it requires much less linguistic effort. Usage: E.g. 你係唔係native speaker黎架？（講本國語既人） E.g. 你Ｄ英文係咪native架？（純正本土口音）Reference: https://www.studocu.com/hk/document/city-university-of-hong-kong/world-englishes/lecture-3-city-university-of-hong-kongen5714-world-englishes-and-the-social-context-of/20063922
2023-03-04

sure win

Definition: Often added after '一定', this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to being absolutely certain that you will win, like in a bet or game. Usage: E.g. 今次D牌咁靚，一定sure win啦！ E.g. 你咁有學歷同咁smart，面試一定sure win啦！Synonym: 必勝Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/61304/
2024-06-10

do

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to gestures and customs that an employee must do or learn when they work in a company. Usage: E.g. 老細黎到仲唔識DO? 快D讓座同沖杯咖啡比佢啦！ E.g. 打工仔要識DO先得，如果咪好快冇得撈。Reference: https://www.etnet.com.hk/www/tc/lifestyle/archive/goodjob/23372
2024-06-10

highlight

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong students like use to refer to highlighting important information with a highlighter pen. (瑩光筆） Usage: E.g. 學生：等我highlight句野先，方便溫書嗰陣時。 老師：考試時記住帶返支highlighter。冇既就要underline架喇。Reference: https://www.weekendhk.com/weekspecial/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-香港人-ctb081-hc-1413297/3/
2023-03-04

raise flag

Definition: Used as '立flag', this is a code-mixing term used by local student Hong Kongers to refer to being very vocal about what you want to do, but end up doing something that is completely opposite. Usage: E.g. 佢又立flag話以後會減肥，點知佢就走左食buffet。Synonym: 立flagReference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now
2024-06-10

mark

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like use to refer to marking or jotting things down. (標記） Usage: E.g. 記住mark低個schedule比我睇吓先。阿媽：老師上堂講既野有冇mark低呀？
2023-03-04

polly shum

Definition: Transliterated from '玻璃心' meaning 'heart made of glass', this is a code-mixing phrase used by local student Hong Kongers to refer to someone who can be easily hurt and broken, just like as fragile as glass. Usage: E.g. He is very manly but he is actually a polly shum when it comes to love.Synonym: 玻璃心Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now
2024-06-10

low tech

Definition: (adj) A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to describe something that is very unadvanced in technology.  There is a famous quote that goes "High Tech揩野，Low Tech撈野", which describes the volatility of high-tech products as opposed to low-tech products that have a larger market despite high competition. '撈' refers to '有得撈', which means you can earn a living. Usage: E.g. 今時今日唔可以再咁low tech架喇。快D買返部智能手機啦。Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201902353/201902353_1.pdf
2023-03-04

project

Definition: A word that Hong Kong local students use to refer to a large piece of work, which is often done in group setting. Usage: E.g. 今學期你有咩group project呀？（課題）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
2023-03-04

hea

Definition: (verb) This is an Englishised Cantonese word that refers to slacking off or having nothing to do. Usage: E.g. 哇！今日返工真係好hea呀！E.g.唔洗咁急。Hea下先再做野啦。Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-hea-chok-chur/
2024-04-16
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