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

Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 783 results

no need to ask Ah Gui

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to something that is so obvious that there is no need to ask anyone about it, especially after finding out the wrong of somebody. 'Ah Gui' is a name that originated from an infamous official (李世桂) in the Qing Dynasty. Usage: E.g. It must be him who let out the secrets! No need to ask Ah Gui!Synonym: 唔洗問阿貴Reference: https://www.kamadelivery.com/blog/posts/香港10大俗語-地道文化背景大解構/

catch up

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to refer to talking to someone in order to know what they have been doing. Usage: E.g. 我地幾時會再catch up吓?好耐冇見喇。Synonym: 趕上進度

aware

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to noticing something in a more passive and less intentional way. Usage: E.g. 我唔係唔知道發生咩事,只不過當時我唔係咁aware周邊既環境姐。(It's not that I don't know what was going on, but I was just not aware of my surrounding environment at that time.)Synonym: 意識;知道;察覺;為意Reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/1chahae/difference_between_realize_and_be_aware_of/?tl=zh-hant

memo

Definition: Often pronounced as 'meemo', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to memo paper. Usage: E.g. 喂,可唔可以幫我抄D野落張meemo到?Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/633876/港式英語-19個英文字港人常讀錯-釘橋-cam錢-janet讀到似中文

meeting

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use instead of saying '開會' or having a '會議'. Usage: E.g. 我聽日九點鐘有個meeting。開完meeting再搵你呀?Synonym: 會議Reference: https://theinitium.com/roundtable/20170226-lifestyle-mix-chn-eng/

open-minded

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to describe being receptive to new ideas but not to the point of so expansive by opening boundaries. Usage: E.g. 我係一個open-minded既人,但係唔代表我內裡open。(I am an open-minded person, but that doesn't mean I am open on the inside. XD)Synonym: 思想開放; 開明Reference: https://hinative.com/questions/26265836

click

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers love to use to refer to selecting something on an electronic device, such as by using a mouse or touchpad. Usage: E.g. 幫手click吓我D廣告啦!Synonym: 點擊Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201705266.pdf

mm ho yi si

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use when they want to apologise politely for something. Usage: E.g. *Holding up a queue* Mm ho yi si. E.g. *Butts into a conversation* Mm ho yi si. Where is the MTR?Synonym: 唔好意思Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know

ja ja lum

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to tell somebody to hurry up, which is similar to the phrase 'chop chop' in English. (Also see 'la la lum') Usage: E.g. Ja ja lum go to school now or you will miss the bus! Eg. Finish your homework! Ja ja lum la!Synonym: 咋咋臨

rocket science

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that overseas educated Hong Kongers use to emphasize that something is not a complex problem. Usage: E.g. 呢個問題唔係rocket science。再一齊諗諗佢就解決得到。Reference: https://www.mi-learning.com/itsnotrocketscience-meaning/
Define Your Term | Learn More