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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


947 results found

gay dor cheen

Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to ask a shopkeeper how much something costs, which is extremely effective when bargaining for a lower price at wet markets. It can also be shortened to 'gay cheen' (幾錢).

Usage: E.g. Gay dor cheen? (幾多錢?) E.g. Gay cheen? (幾錢?)

Synonym: 幾多錢?

Reference: https://homekong.com.hk/blogs/read/helpful-cantonese-phrases-to-know

gchi

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing term derived from '支持', meaning to support.

Usage: E.g. 全靠大家GCHI,本會終於成功當選,今後仍然需要大家多多GCHI。

Synonym: 支持

Reference: https://hkdic.my-helper.com/gchi/

gen

Definition: Derived from ‘generate’, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers like to use to refer to generating report using a computer.

Usage: E.g. 幾時gen到份report?

Synonym: 生成

Reference: https://hk.ulifestyle.com.hk/topic/detail/20052582/香港職場30個中英夾雜用語-內地網民-自己會粵語也聽不懂/1

get

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to understanding the gist of something.  Sometimes, it is also used to refer to understanding the small parts of something, in order to understand the whole thing.

Usage: E.g. 佢好像唔係咁get我們講D咩。 E.g. 你要get到最基本既concept先,之後你就會明哂所有野。

Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

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

Definition: Originated from meat being very expensive back in the 1950s, this is a Kongish code-mixing idiom used by native Hong Kongers who like to joke about giving birth to a piece of cha siu rather than their children.

Usage: E.g. You are so naughty and never do well in school! I would rather give birth to a cha siu than you!

Synonym: 生舊叉燒好過生你

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-生舊叉燒好過生你-better-to-give-birth-to-char-siu-than-you/#:~:text=Sik6%20caa1%20siu,back%20into%20its%20own%20court.

Gong hei fat choi

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that Hong Kong expats use to wish someone prosperous and good fortune during Chinese New Year. Sometimes , it may be mistaken as 'Happy new year' by non-Cantonese speaking expats, even though there is nothing really wrong with saying it to people excessively. (Variant: Kung hei fat choi)

Usage: E.g. Happy Chinese New Year! Gong hei fat choi! Gong hei fat choi!

Synonym: 恭喜發財

Reference: https://www.zalora.com.hk/blog/lifestyle/kung-hei-fat-choi-meaning-how-to-respond-and-common-cantonese-new-year-blessings/

good question

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students when they want to pause and think how to answer a question, even though it doesn't necessarily imply their ignorance.

Usage: E.g. 唔識答就話that’s a very good question, 然後帶佢遊花園 (If you don't know how to answer, just say that's a very good question. Then beat around the bush.)

Synonym: 問得好

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2767347/page/3

goodest

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers use to refer to something of the best quality.

Usage: E.g. 2000FUN討論區是香港最「Goodest」。

Synonym: 最好,best

Reference: https://evchk.fandom.com/zh/wiki/Goodest

grad

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term that refers to the verb 'graduate'.  Sometimes, it is used as a noun.

Usage: E.g. 同學:你唔係怕grad唔到呀嗎? 同事:你做左幾年野?。你:我係fresh grad黎架。

Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

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