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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


662 results found

start film

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to starting a fight.

Usage: E.g. This is a school! Don't start a film here!

Synonym: 開片

step by step

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a more sequential and orderly way of describing the progression of something, especially when giving instructions.

Usage: E.g. 實際通常都係 step by step 咁去先會得到結果 中間所有野都唔理咪做唔到囉 (In practice, I usually go step by step in order to get results. I won't be able to do it if I don't care about everything in the middle.

Synonym: 逐步; 一步一步

Reference: https://www.facebook.com/kt4404.hk/posts/發覺原來自學-it-都幾難-分享自-lihkg-討論區-呢個-reply-值得深思好多人諗野學野做野都話自己係-result-oriented唔理個過程係點得到/4291301534246259/

stir-fried squid

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to getting fired from a job. (炒魷魚 - caau2 jau4 jyu2)

Usage: E.g. I messed up at work today and I got stir-fried squid!!!

Synonym: 炒魷魚

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-老細炒咗我魷-stir-fried-me-squid/

sup

Definition: A salutation often used by real ABC Hong Kongers to ask how somebody is doing. However, it is often overused by Fake ABC's to strike a western impression on others. (Also used as "what's up")

Usage: E.g. 喂,sup man? E.g. 偽ABC:Sup man, sup, sup, sup...人們:得喇。唔好成日唔係又sup又喺到sup啦。好煩呀。

sup sup sui

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to refer to an easy task, which is equivalent to 'piece of cake' in English.

Usage: E.g. A: Thanks for helping me out! B: No problem! Sup sup sui la!

Synonym: 濕濕碎

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-descriptive-slang-phrases

sure

Definition: Often pronounced in two syllables as 'shu-ah' and used with ‘唔‘ (not), this is a cool sounding code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to express absolute uncertainty over a subject matter in an informal setting.

Usage: E.g. 佢係唔係好叻?我唔sure。(Is he really smart? I am not sure.) E.g. 今日會唔會落雨?我唔sure。(Will it rain today? I am not sure.) E.g. 佢阿媽係唔係女人?我唔sure。(Is his mom a woman? I am not sure.)

Synonym: 肯定

Reference: https://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=30817621

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/

swap

Definition: A code-mixing term that overseas educated Hong Kongers use in place of the Cantonese equivalent '交換'.

Usage: E.g. A:我地swap一個球員好唔好?B:好呀,我同你swap啦。

Synonym: 交換

sweet

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who is nice and kind, as well as an intimate relationship between a couple.

Usage: E.g. 哇,你真係好sweet呀!(貼心) E.g. 呢對情侶好sweet呀。(甜蜜)

Synonym: 貼心, 甜蜜

sworn brother

Definition: (vulgar) Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to call someone a bastard or son of a bitch. Also has the meaning of gigolo, which originated from Fuzhou in China. (契弟)

Usage: E.g. You are dead meat, sworn brother! (契弟) E.g. Oh gosh we are doomed. This time we are gonna be sworn brothers. (做契弟) E.g. So you’ve been treating me like a sworn brother all along? (當我契弟) E.g. Sworn brother walks slowly. (契弟走得摩)

Synonym: 契弟

Reference: https://baike.baidu.hk/item/%E5%A5%91%E5%BC%9F/7349815

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