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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


233 results found

big head shrimp

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone being forgetful and careless, such as forgetting their keys or where they put their phone. (大頭蝦 - daai6 tau4 haa1) Usage: E.g. A: You forgot to bring your wallet? Such a big head shrimp!Synonym: 大頭蝦Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-大頭蝦-big-head-prawn-language-hong-kong/

gemgem

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to Gemini AI. Usage: E.g. 中四中五,兩班都係入到課室嗰刻先知「全錯」,臨時叫gemgem用10秒整理一個ppt,我依然繼續上堂。(For two classes of Form 4 and 5, I only knew that the powerpoint slides were "all wrong" the moment I entered the classroom. Then I quickly asked Gemini to organize a ppt in 10 seconds, and I still managed to teach the classes.)Synonym: GeminiReference: facebook.com/612468728/posts/10164582559278729/?rdid=djANzUPXcw6SopFY&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F17nv7x2uZC%2F#

weekend

Definition: A more modern and happy-sounding code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers use to refer to period at the end of a week where they like to enjoy it like a real holiday. Usage: E.g. 你哋會唔會weekend 兩日一夜去日本?(Would you go to Japan for two days and one night on the weekend?)Synonym: 週末Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3815081/page/1

Fan Tai Sui

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to a year where one’s Chinese zodiac offends or clashes with the God of Tai Sui, which means the fortune of the year will not be as smooth as others. Usage: I was born in the year of the snake and I am fan tai sui this year! Let’s go to the temple to pray for protection and peace!Synonym: 犯太歲Reference: https://chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/tai-sui/

share

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to using or experiencing something together with others without the meaning of splitting apart, while not guaranteeing enjoyment and happiness. Usage: E.g. 最鍾意share 野! 一餐可以食晒唔同款,正!(I love to share things! Can eat all sorts of food in a meal! Awesome!)Synonym: 分享; 共用Reference: https://www.threads.com/@louisling8/post/DHi7b96TcQP/最鍾意share-野-一餐可以食晒唔同款正

wear a green hat

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe a man whose wife is cheating on him. Usage: E.g. Why did you have to cheat on me and let me wear the green hat for so long?!! Synonym: 載綠帽Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now?utm_campaign=likeshopme&utm_medium=instagram&utm_source=dash+hudson&utm_content=www.instagra (use mobile version)

water

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to money and lots of different things. Usage: E.g. Blow water. (吹水 - to chat casually or brag about something) E.g. Measure water. (磅水 - to give money) E.g. Return water. (回水 - to return money) E.g. Clear water. (通水 - to give secret info like a test) E.g. Draw water. (抽水 - to get profit or benefit for free) E.g. One lump of water. (一舊水 - one hundred dollars) E.g. What water? (乜水 - who the heck are you?)Reference: https://topick.hket.com/article/679575/%E5%BB%A3%E6%9D%B1%E8%A9%B1%E8%80%83%E8%B5%B7%E4%BD%A0%E3%80%80%E3%80%8C%E6%B0%B4%E3%80%8D%E5%AD%97%E6%9C%89%E5%B9%BE%E5%A4%9A%E7%A8%AE%E6%84%8F%E6%80%9D%EF%BC%9F

whatever

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers when they want to express their dissatisfaction towards someone or something when they are running out of patience. Also, a 'la' particle is usually added to the end of it to emphasize the casual tone. Usage: E.g. A:個客講左D咩? B:咪話過要呢樣又嗰樣囉,總之whatever啦。(A: What did the client say? B: Said they wanted this and that, just... whatever la.) E.g. A:今餐想食D咩? B:Whatever啦。(A: What do you want to eat for this meal? B: Whatever la.)Synonym: 咩都好啦Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1505250505201422336.html

timing

Definition: Often said with a rising intonation on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Konger badminton coaches like to use to refer to the exact point in time of something because the Cantonese equivalent ‘時機’ somehow sounds less accurate. Usage: E.g. 描準個ball,睇好個timing打落去,咁先得架嘛。(Aim at the ball, watch for the right timing and hit it. You got it?)Synonym: 時機

binder

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
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