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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


527 results found

topic

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a subject matter that is less socially loaded, people-oriented or even gossipy.

Usage: E.g. 成日都講人是非,可唔可以轉topic?(The conversation is always gossiping about others. Can we change the topic?)

Synonym: 話題

Reference: https://spencerlam.hk/blog/2022/02/01/group-discussion技巧/

total

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the total amount of something, such as for goods and services.

Usage: E.g. 呢到total幾多錢呀?

Synonym: 總共

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

training

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong companies like to use to refer to sessions they provide for employees to equip them with skills, which may or may not be full of actions such as teaching, instructing and nurturing as the -ing term suggests.

Usage: E.g. 吓?你講完一兩句野就當係training?!(What? You just gave a short talk and called this 'training'?!)

Synonym: 訓練, 培訓

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/700190/page/9

travel

Definition: A chique sounding code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to going on a trip without quite knowing the particular destination.

Usage: E.g. A: 今次假期又去邊到呀? B: 唔知呀,我鍾意去呢到travel吓,又去嗰到travel吓,總之去到邊就邊囉。(A: Where will you go this holiday? B: I don't know. I just like to travel here and travel there, just wherever I travel then where I go.)

Synonym: 旅遊

trick or treat

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to the custom of exchanging candies on Halloween, which tends to appeal to introverted people in terms of MBTI because it is a good excuse for them to open their mouths.

Usage: E.g. I人為咗攞糖去trick or treat 開口問人攞(其實香港係交換糖果大會)(Introverted people can open their mouths to ask for candy by trick or treating. In fact, Hong Kong is a candy exchange centre.)

Synonym: 唔畀糖就整蠱你

Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/BAHNW6bYI0/

tum

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to cheering up a person such as a child in order to make them happy again or stop crying or being angry. At times, it can also refer to coaxing or persuading someone gently in order to convince them.

Usage: E.g. 首期一人一半,都無落佢名,tum住佢話遲啲再買多層落佢名免稅 (E.g. The down payment was split among us in half, and I did not even put her name down for the flat. So I coaxed her by saying I will buy another flat for her tax-free.)

Synonym: 氹

Reference: https://amp.lihkg.com/thread/3214136/page/1

two beat six

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to an incompetent person of low status. It is the first part of the allegorical saying '未夠斤兩‘, which means the person is not qualified. Since 2 + 6 taels = half catty, it means the person is not much in catty and taels.

Usage: E.g. You two beat six should not be part of our group!

Synonym: 二打六

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/41660/

two five boy

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to someone who betrays others. ie. A traitor. (二五仔)

Usage: E.g. I can't believe you are the two five boy who let out the secret!

Synonym: 二五仔

Reference: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202105/25/AP60ac0e63e4b0a46dabeb8867.html

U

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong students use to refer to 'university'.

Usage: E.g. 你讀邊間U架? E.g. 我好想入呢間U呀!

Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf

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/

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