Define Your Term | Login
What is code-mixing? | Mission | About | Learn More
English | Chinese

Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


108 results found

boil telephone congee

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to talking on the phone for hours. (煲電話粥) Usage: E.g. Stop boiling telephone congee with your friend every day!Synonym: 煲電話粥Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/8-colloquialisms-unique-to-cantonese

load

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to putting information into a computer. (載入) Usage: E.g. 點解個website load咁耐都load唔到架?Load得咁慢真係GG喇。Synonym: 載入

refer

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to recommend a candidate for a vacant position. Usage: E.g. 如果你識到朋友做呢行,可以refer佢比我地嗎?Reference: https://goop.ai/topic/2r3f/尋英文補習教學partner

gg

Definition: Derived from 'good game' in English, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a bad situation, such as not completing work before a deadline. (完蛋了) Usage: E.g. 今晚做唔哂D野真係gg喇。點算呀?(完蛋了)Reference: https://www.csb.gov.hk/hkgcsb/eon/190/190/190_3.html

dead

Definition: (verb) This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a deadline for task. Usage: E.g. 同事:份report幾時dead呀? 上司:今日dead左喇!仲喺到問!Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

sir

Definition: Often used as 'Ah sir' (阿sir), this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a male teacher. (Also see 'Missy' for female teacher) Usage: E.g. 阿sir,我今日冇帶功課。可唔可以唔好罰我呀?Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

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

brainstorm

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to suggesting many ideas for a topic or activity very quickly. Usage: E.g. 大家一齊brainstorm吓產品既idea。Reference: https://www.story001.com/post-196.html

dress code

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to the rules being set on how you should wear for a situation or event. Usage: E.g. 聽晚要去公司function?有冇話咩dress code呀?Synonym: 服裝規範Reference: https://www.englishok.com.tw/toeic/toeic-issue/crystal_lee_english_speaking

Robert

Definition: Often used as an idiom, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a stupid person. (For female version, see 'Lulu') Usage: E.g. 唔好當我係Robert喎! (Stop treating me like a stupid person!)