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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


707 results found

seven

Definition: Pronounced as 'se-fun' with a rising tone on the second syllable, this is a shortened term used to refer to the 7-Eleven convenience store.

Usage: E.g. 今日放工記得去seven買野呀。 E.g. 我要去seven交電話費。

seven head

Definition: Known as Kongish and derived from '柒頭' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe or scold someone who is stupid and brainless like a dickhead. (龜頭)

Usage: E.g. You seven head go and collect skin! (你個柒頭去收皮啦!)

Synonym: 柒頭

Reference: https://www.topprint2000.com/online-shop/product/1131018/

sh*t

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong celebrity Louis Koo (古天樂) in the TVB episode 'A Step into the Past' (尋秦記) when he was transported into the past to the days of Qin Dynasty.

Usage: E.g. *Wakes up and finds an army of horsemen rushing towards him* Sh*t!

Synonym: 弊, 死喇

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edrNB8DXhmQ

sharp

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to being clever and quick-witted as well as having a high degree of punctuality for work.

Usage: E.g. 你要加入我地公司既話,你一定要好sharp。(If you want to join our company, you must be really sharp-minded and punctual.)

Synonym: 醒目; 準時

sharp

Definition: 1. (adj) A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to describe a person being clever or quick to notice things. Sometimes, it is used as 'sharp醒'. 2. (adj) Used to describe someone's appearance as being too eye-catching.

Usage: E.g. 哇,乜今日咁sharp醒呀?咁快做哂D野? E.g. 呢件衫D顏色太sharp喇。

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

shocked

Definition: A code-mixing term that a "Jayden Mami" likes to use to express unpleasant surprise while softening the tone in order to make sure the child isn't scared by the mother's emotional state.

Usage: E.g. Jayden, 你喺邊到學人dye埋D hair架? Mami好shocked呀。(Jayden, who did you learn dying your hair from? Mami is so shocked.)

Synonym: 驚訝; 震驚

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXBG2f3kq7D/ (use mobile version)

shoe polisher

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to a person who likes to say nice things to flatter someone, especially for the sake of promotion in a workplace. Also known as kissing someone's arse.

Usage: E.g. You're such a shoe polisher!

Synonym: 擦鞋仔

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcsWOeRgxlW/?igsi=MzhpcGs0NzZ2b3h0 (use mobile version)

short

Definition: (adj.) insane; malfunctioning; derived from "short circuit". Often used as "sot sot deih", meaning a little insane.

Usage: E.g. 你契爺凍到short咗. (Your godfather is freezing to the point of insanity.) E.g. 部冷氣機short左。快D搵人黎整返佢啦。

show off

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers as a less dramatic way of displaying one's abilities and achievements so that it does not deliberately make others envy you.

Usage: E.g. 帶BB 去旅行根本滿足父母show off 私慾,"阿仔未夠一歲坐飛機,勁呢" (Taking a baby on a trip is really just about satisfying the parents' desire to show off—"My kid’s been on a plane before turning one; pretty impressive, right?")

Synonym: 炫耀

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@bae146/post/Dd45t-xklle/帶bb-去旅行根本滿足父母show-off-私慾阿仔未夠一歲坐飛機勁呢/

show off

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use instead of '炫耀', which sounds too formal to be used in conversation.  Also used as 'show qualie' sometimes.

Usage: E.g. 唔好成日係到show off啦。知道你勁喇。E.g. 成日講野都夾雜英文。你喺到show qualie呀?

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