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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary
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note

Definition: Often added with a 屎 (faeces), this is a code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers use to refer to short pieces of information written down on paper. Usage: E.g. 阿仔，上堂記住drop低D note屎呀！Synonym: 筆記Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ
2024-10-23

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
2025-04-30

dor jeh

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that foreigners use to utter the phrase 'thank you' in Cantonese when they receive a red packet during Chinese New Year. Usage: E.g. Dor jeh! Gung hei fat choi!Synonym: 多謝Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know
2024-07-17

fai di

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that Hong Kong expats use to tell someone to hurry up. The particle 'la' is often added for emphasis. Usage: Fai di la! The bus is here!Synonym: 快D啦Reference: https://geoexpat.com/forum/53/thread22332-2.html
2025-05-05

fun cheung

Definition: With a literal meaning of pig‘s intestines, this is a code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to someone who is lazy and has no progress in life. It originates from the swear word '撚樣‘ and is used as a euphemism for calling someone a dick face. Usage: E.g. Ditch me again?! This guy is such a fun cheung! (又放我飛機？呢條友仔正粉腸!)Synonym: 粉腸Reference: https://jyutdictionary.com/dictionary/entry/粉腸
2025-08-27

cheung fun

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to steamed rice noodle rolls, which is a popular snack at street food vendors. However, this is not to be confused with ‘fun cheung’, which means ‘dick face’ in English. Usage: E.g. Let‘s eat some fun cheung at a Chinese restaurant! Sorry, I mean cheung fun!Synonym: 腸粉Reference: https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3318414/what-cheung-fun-different-types-chinese-rice-noodle-rolls-and-how-make-them
2025-08-27

quota

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to one's limit of something, such as how much food one can eat. Usage: E.g. 食野要有quota，尤其係生野。 E.g. 我望手機有quota，因為我始終年紀大。Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/
2024-04-11

auntie

Definition: A polite way of addressing a stranger, usually a much older person, when you meet them for the first time. Usage: E.g. 哈佬Auntie，你好呀！ E.g. 仔仔，快Ｄ叫聲Auntie啦。Reference: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3048345/hong-kong-comes-alive-learning-cantonese-make-sure-you-know
2023-02-27

project

Definition: A generic code-mixing term that can used for a number of different items in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 你公司近排搞緊D咩project呀？（項目） E.g. 今次呢個project搞成點呀？（研究） E.g. 你諗住下次搞d咩project呀？（計劃） E.g. 小心D呀，唔見寫住project in progress咩？（工程）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
2023-03-02

eat dead cat

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone being a scapegoat or taking the blame for something that they did not do. Usage: E.g. I did not cheat in the exam and you made me eat dead cat??!Synonym: 食死貓Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms
2024-04-28
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