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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


656 results found

six seven

Definition: Originated from the song "Doot Doot (6 7)" by Skrilla, this is a code-mixing term used by Gen Z westernised Hong Kongers when they want to say 'I don't know' or refer to something 'so-so' as a rating. Sometimes, it may have no meaning at all, even when the person is juggling both hands up and down excitedly. Coincidently, six seven looks similar to the Cantonese expression '碌柒', which has the literal meaning of 'a stick of dick' and refers to an idiot. Usage: E.g. A: How was the movie? B: Six seven. *Hands juggling up and down* (So-so.) E.g. A: What is the answer to this question? B: Six seven! (I don't f***ing know.)Synonym: 唔撚知, 係喇掛Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQbVj-KkvEX/?hl=en (use mobile version)

gay

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who has an interest in the same gender without making it sound so clear and explicit in case someone is eavesdropping. At other times, it can be used to describe something as awkward such as a plot in a story or film. Usage: E.g. A: 我想問你一個問題:你係咪gay架? B: 唔好喇掛,我唔想搞gay。 (A: I want to ask you a question: Are you gay? B: No thanks, I don't want to be gay.) E.g. A: 今次套電影好睇嗎?B: 我覺得啲劇情好gay囉。(A: Do you like the movie this time? B: I think the story is really gay.)Synonym: 同性戀, 搞gayReference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/1088/

phy chem bi

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to the physics, chemistry and biology subjects in an ultra convenient and orderly fashion. Usage: E.g. 今次考試要讀哂phy chem bi,真係幾攞命呀。(I will need to study all of physics, chemistry and biology for this exam, which is quite taxing.)Synonym: 物理, 化學, 生物Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/1802219/page/1

debate

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students love to use to refer to having an argument with another person in a peaceful, academic manner. Usage: E.g. 我同我個男朋友平時好鍾意嗌交,嗌吓呢樣又嗰樣,不過都係debate姐。(I like to argue with my boyfriend all the time, about this and that, but it's just debating.)Synonym: 辯論Reference: https://www.threads.com/@yyanchi._/post/C3_6NO0ySjE?hl=zh-hk

please

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to making someone happy, satisfied and giving them pleasure, which is really not an easy task for anyone to do, but at least it doesn't always mean to win someone's favour by flattery like '取悦' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 宣萱自揭離開無綫原因:原來可能要刷鞋,要please一啲你唔想please嘅人,咁我問自己得唔得?唔得。(Jessica Hester Hsuan reveals the reason for leaving TVB: It turns out that you may have to make up to people, to please those who you don't want to please, so I ask myself can I? No.)Synonym: 使滿意, 開心; 取悦Reference: https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20260202/bkn-20260202190138911-0202_00862_001.html

positive

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong HR departments like to use when they report back to candidates on their interview result, which is more objective than the Cantonese equivalent that contains the phrase ‘評價‘, which tends to give people the feeling of being evaluated or judged. Usage: E.g. 今日收到消息話你既面試表現都係positive架。(I received news today saying that your interview result was positive.)Synonym: 正面評價Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2492328/page/36

proper

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to describe people with high standards of social, moral and ethical behaviour which covers everything from the way they look, dress, and talk. Usage: E.g. 我覺得呢個行業既人都係好proper。(I think everybody in this industry are so proper.)Synonym: 規矩, 正當, 得體Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/4012349/page/1

experience

Definition: A code-mixing term that westernised Hong Kongers often use when they are excited to hear about another person's experience(s) in something, as the term is also countable as opposed to the Cantonese equivalent term. Usage: E.g. 可以同大家share吓你既travelling experiences嗎? (Could you share your travelling experiences with all of us?)Synonym: 經驗Reference: https://urbanpixxels.com/best-things-to-do-in-hong-kong/

smash

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to hitting a ball towards the ground forcefully in tennis, which not only feels good when defeating someone with such a gesture, but also it sort of gives the person a feeling of breaking something into pieces. Usage: E.g. 咁勁?!今次我要smash返你!(So powerful?! I'm going to smash you back!)Synonym: 殺球Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3898753/page/7

situationship

Definition: A code-mixing term that Gen Z native Hong Kongers use to describe a romantic relationship where there are low levels of commitment except for sexual behaviour. Usage: E.g. A: 你同佢發展成點呀? B: 冇呀,只係situationship。(A: How is your relationship going? B: No, we are just a situationship.)Synonym: 狀態戀情Reference: https://www.hk01.com/談情說性/377560/約會新詞-situationship-已經-沉船-但不能隨便跳船