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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


852 results found

Merry Christmas

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers prefer to use to accompany Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus because they can experience the happiness first with ‘merry’ compared to the Cantonese equivalent ’聖誕節快樂‘ where the happiness '快樂‘ is placed after Christmas.

Usage: E.g. 聖誕節又黎喇!Merry Christmas! (Christmas is coming! Merry Christmas!)

Synonym: 聖誕節快樂, 聖誕快樂

Reference: https://www.weekendhk.com/香港好去處/聖誕好去處-商場-打卡-飄雪-3275849/

big wok

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe a situation where they are in some serious trouble. Sometimes, '大鑊' can be emphasized to a vulgar expression '大撚鑊', which literally translates to 'big penis wok' and means the person is in rather deep sh*t.

Usage: E.g. I forgot to bring my wallet! Big wok! (大鑊) E.g. Omg I lost all my money! This time is really big penis wok! (今次真係大撚鑊)

Synonym: 大鑊

Reference: http://paper.wenweipo.com/2011/03/30/ED1103300032.htm

fact check

Definition: Often pronounced as 'fat check', this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to verifying the validity and accuracy of something.

Usage: E.g. 洗唔洗fact check一吓呢個人係真定係假?(Do we need to fact check this person to see if he is real or fake?)

Synonym: 事實查核

Reference: https://medialiteracy.hk/不看你絕對後悔:fact-check背後的「真相」/

night cat / ghost

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who sleeps very late and doesn't wake up early. Similar to 'night owl' in English. (夜貓/夜鬼)

Usage: E.g. Maintain good health by sleeping early! Don't be a night cat / night ghost!

Synonym: 夜貓/夜鬼

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/55996/

cleansing foam

Definition: Pronounced as 'cleansing form', this is a code-mixing term used by celebrity Janice Man to refer to the facial treatment item 'cleansing foam'.

Usage: E.g. 我通常眼同埋嘴就用左油既,即係remover,oil remover去落左先,跟住就會全面再用呢一個cleansing water再全面抺一次,跟住先至用落裝油全面再洗一次,再用cleansing form全面就再落裝咁樣。咁所以其實都有四五個step囉。

Reference: https://medium.com/@girlslearnenglish/你說話會中英夾雜嗎-被-污名化-的中英夾雜-why-code-mixing-is-totally-fine-32eb1f280ca

No worries

Definition: A code-mixing term that real ABC's like to use to show their friendliness or generosity.

Usage: E.g. No worries。今餐我比住先啦。 E.g. No worries。我幫你搞掂左喇。

Synonym: 唔洗擔心

bro

Definition: A code-mixing term that real ABC's like to use to show how easygoing they can be.

Usage: E.g. Hey bro!不如一齊食飯啦? E.g. Hey bro!放工一齊打波呀?

Synonym: 兄弟

How's it going?

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that real ABC's like to use to show that they are friendly and easy to talk to.  Sometimes, a 'man' is added to the end of the phrase for emphasis.

Usage: E.g. 喂,how's it going?近排幾好嗎? E.g. How's it going man?!今晚得閒去bar嗎?

common friend

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to a mutual friend or a friend in common.

Usage: E.g. 佢係我地個common friend黎架。 E.g. 我地唔係好熟,不過有好多common friend。

Synonym: 共同朋友

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP2Tu1kqrQc&t=4s

pattern

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers like to use instead of '圖案'.

Usage: E.g. 件衫個pattern幾靚喎。喺邊到買架? E.g. 同學:喂,你覺得每次D MC題目會有咩pattern呀?

Synonym: 圖案

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