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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 946 results

champagne

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who have more than a regular habit of drinking champagnes.

Usage: E.g. 今日係禮拜五晚,我地黎支champagne嗱?!

Synonym: 香檳

good job

Definition: A code-mixing term used by grassroots class Hong Kongers to refer to how thoroughly cooked a steak is, which is equivalent to ‘well done’ in native English.

Usage: E.g. 個鬼佬轉另轉頭問我: whatxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx? 我好自豪 充滿自信 大大聲答: GOOD JOB!! 個鬼佬就呆哂 唔明我無啦啦做乜講GOOD JOB咁 女友見到 即刻幫我答:WELL DONE (The western waiter then asked me: whatxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx? I was proud and confident and answered loudly: GOOD JOB! The western waiter was speechless and didn't understand why I said good job. When my girlfriend saw this, she immediately helped me answer: WELL DONE)

Synonym: 全熟

Reference: https://amp.lihkg.com/thread/561255/page/1

undingable

Definition: Originated from '頂' (ding2) meaning 'to withstand', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to something that is impossible to withstand. Also spelled as 'un頂able'.

Usage: E.g. 依家d學生極之有問題 完全0尊 d old seadfood 八公八婆完全undingable (Nowadays the students are extremely problematic and completely show no respect. The old snobby seniors, nosy bastards and bitches are completely impossible to withstand.)

Synonym: 頂唔順

Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/_l91vOaRS/

jetso

Definition: This is an Englishised term of the Cantonese words '著數', which refers to advantages that one can offer.

Usage: E.g. 如果我幫你,你會比我D咩jetso先?

Synonym: 著數

Reference: https://www.scmp.com/magazines/hk-magazine/article/2038083/what-exactly-jetso

hit

Definition: Pronounced as 'heet' (long vowel), this is a code-mixing term that refers to something being very successful or popular.

Usage: E.g. 呢套戲好hit呀。快D睇啦。 E.g. 呢首歌又好似hit返喇喎。

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

Dim gaai

Definition: (Jyutping) Ask for the reason of things happened

Usage: Dim gaai zeoi gan sing jat lok jyu? (點解最近成日落雨?) - Why it always rain recently?

Synonym: 點解, Why, 為什麼

well-received

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by grassroots Hong Kongers when they want to express gratitude for something they have received, such as an email with an attachment. However, the working class Hong Kongers realise that this is probably not such a suitable term for them to use so they say 'Noted/Received with thanks'.

Usage: E.g. Well-received with thanks.

Synonym: 收到

Reference: https://graduate.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/35656/電郵技巧|商用電郵|職場英語-10個打工仔常犯的英文email錯誤-please-kindly-well-received-with-thanks-都係錯-內附正確寫法

out

Definition: 1. (adj) This is a code-mixing word that refers to being outdated. 2. (verb) To instruct someone to be eliminated or get out of the room.

Usage: E.g. 你兒家先聽呢首歌?你真係好out呀。(adj) E.g. 你同我out!(verb)

Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk

No bullsh*t let's go

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by upper class Hong Kongers to establish trust with customers when promoting a business.

Usage: E.g. No bullsh*t let's go!跟住 HKTCG 我哋一齊贏!(Let's win together with HKTCG!)

Synonym: 少廢話,來吧

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@khdcheung/post/DX02bSTEc-M?xmt=AQF0lZjxc45QjrCh3--CSn7W3dC_HoSGA08fDOIdafdfko2qCBQj9p7NjCpfwaSQfVGackI&source_surface=35&slof=1

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