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10 random words out of 946 results
Definition: This is a code-mixing term that is used instead of the Cantonese equivalent '大文件夾' to refer to a large-sized folder for keeping documents.
Usage: E.g. 如果folder唔夠大，搵個binder再放哂D文件入去。
Synonym: 大文件夾
Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a written test created by companies for job candidates, which can be easy or difficult depending on the situation. Sometimes, it can also be very 'chur' to do due to a company's limited time.
Usage: E.g. 一入到去未擺低袋就俾張紙我做 Written Test，限時 20 分鐘。(When I arrived and before I even put my bag down, they gave me a piece of paper to do a written test, which had a time limit of 20 minutes.)
Synonym: 筆試
Definition: Originated from the word 'start', this is a code-mixing term used by the Hong Kong government to refer to the starting point of a running track.
Usage: E.g. 再有政府設施串錯英文。「起點」英文串法由正確的「Start」變為「Strat」。(There is an English word mispelled in a government facility again. The word "Start" became "Strat".)
Synonym: 起點, start
Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWMLrukj_sZ/?igsh=d2NkZXFvN3AycjZt (use mobile version)
Definition: Derived from the Chinese term '內卷' and often translated as 'involution', this is an Englishised code-mixing term that describes an economic situation where excessive competition does not lead to development and innovation. This may lead to people feeling stressed, anxious, and trapped, as the two characters mean 'inside rolling'.
Usage: E.g. I'm stuck in the rat race! I'm so tired of competing with everyone just to climb the career ladder!
Synonym: 內卷
Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjTg1G8rpVc
Definition: 好像kam(第6聲)?1的「?」也是由lift翻譯過來，香港開埠以來人民就懂了，沒有人會說「請按升降機」或「請按電梯」，別人會覺得很作。廣東話的精粹是快和短，許多文書上的雙詞在口語上普遍用一個字來形容。這些例子日後再談。(It seems that the "lip" (1st tone) is also translated from 'lift' in English, just like 'kam' (6th tone). Since the start of Hong Kong, people have already understood this. No one will say "please press the elevator" or "please press the escalator". The essence of Cantonese is fast and short. Many doublet words in documents are commonly expressed as one word colloquially.)
Usage: E.g. 大廈部lift最近好嘈， 小弟住高層，我係屋企成日聽到樓上傳來磅磅聲，全日都有呢種聲 (The lift in the building has been very noisy lately. I live on a high floor, and I often hear banging sounds upstairs at home. There is this kind of sound all day long.)
Synonym: 升降機; 電梯
Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3651008/page/1
Definition: An idiom made popular by the toy product 'Need Son Ng Need Mum', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to the Chinese family tradition of favouring sons over daughters in carrying on a bloodline.
Usage: E.g. A: Do you think you come from a traditional family? B: Yes! Need son ng need mum!
Synonym: 要仔唔要乸, 重男輕女
Definition: Often used as an idiom, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a stupid person. (For male version, see 'Robert')
Usage: E.g. 唔好當我係Lulu喎! (Stop treating me like a stupid person!)
Definition: Purportedly to have come from online competitive gaming where a player brings his team to victory, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to helping and leading someone to achieve something. At times, it can also refer to being able to dress effectively which covers everything from head to toe, including hair.
Usage: E.g. 日系唔只著衫 要化埋妝同髮型同襯埋accessories 要full gear先會carry得到 (Japanese fashion isn't just about wearing clothes. You have to put on make-up, have a certain hairstyle as well as matching accessories. You must have full gear in order to carry this fashion.)
Synonym: 駕馭
Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/475055/page/9
Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by Hong Kong Legislative Council members to refer to a lease condition where the lot owner is required to complete the development within a specified period and obtain an Occupation Permit from the Building Authority. However, it is not to be confused with 'environmental permit'.
Usage: E.g. 劉文君發言後，林筱魯再提醒發言表達專業用語時要考慮公眾能否理解。劉文君說：「頭先官員都有用building covenant㗎！enviromental permit我唔知你哋中文叫做咩嘢。」(After Lau's speech, Lin reminded him to consider whether the public would understand such professional terminology. Lau said, "The officials used building covenant just now! I don't know what you meant by 'environmental permit' in Chinese.")
Synonym: 建築規約
Reference: https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/news/20260211/bkn-20260211164003550-0211_00822_001.html
Definition: Known as Kongish and a much stronger version of 'chi sin' (痴線), this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers describe someone who is crazy, or a situation that is outrageous or unbelievable. (黐孖筋 - ci1 maa1 gan1) Literal meaning: To have your twin wires sticking together, causing short circuit in the brain.
Usage: E.g. Why did you scold me?! Are you chi ma gun??!! E.g. Chi ma gun! Don't dare to drive after drinking alchohol again!!
Synonym: 黐孖筋
