107 results found
Definition: A romanised code-mixing term that foreignised Hong Kongers use when they want to say ‘yes’ to someone.
Usage: Hong Konger: Are you a gweilo? Foreigner: Hai.
Synonym: 係
Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use when they want to apologise politely for something.
Usage: E.g. *Holding up a queue* Mm ho yi si. E.g. *Butts into a conversation* Mm ho yi si. Where is the MTR?
Synonym: 唔好意思
Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers when they cannot get the f**k out the train on the MTR. Literal meaning: Please move aside.
Usage: E.g. Mm goi. (唔該) *nobody moves* Mm ho yi si. (唔好意思) *nobody moves* Mm goi jeh jeh! (唔該借借) *people move out of the way*
Synonym: 唔該借借
Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by foreigners when they come across a local Hong Konger who thinks they know how to speak Cantonese. Literal meaning: I don't know how to speak Cantonese.
Usage: E.g. Foreigner: Mm goi sai! Dor jeh! Hong Konger: Wow, your Cantonese is so good! Foreigner: Ngo mm sik gong gwong dong wa.
Synonym: 我唔識講廣東話
Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that foreigners use to utter the phrase 'thank you' in Cantonese when they receive a red packet during Chinese New Year.
Usage: E.g. Dor jeh! Gung hei fat choi!
Synonym: 多謝
Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by Hong Kong expats when they want to order something in a restaurant but don't know how to read a menu.
Usage: E.g. Mm goi waiter! Ni gor please!
Synonym: 呢個, this
Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by foreigners to ask for directions when they are lost in Hong Kong.
Usage: E.g. Kowloon tong dim hui?
Synonym: 點去?
Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase used by foreigners to bargain in a wet market, in order to get a bigger deal or low price. A 'la' is also usually added at the end for emphasis.
Usage: E.g. This is fifty dollars? Peng di la!
Synonym: 平D
Definition: A romanised code-mixing term that is used to describe something, a person, or state as being so-so, or just okay in quality.
Usage: E.g. A: How was the event? B: Ma ma dei la. E.g. A: How are you today? B: Ma ma dei la. E.g. A: What do you think of this shirt? B: I think it's ma ma dei.
Synonym: 麻麻地
Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-descriptive-slang-phrases
Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to refer to an easy task, which is equivalent to 'piece of cake' in English.
Usage: E.g. A: Thanks for helping me out! B: No problem! Sup sup sui la!
Synonym: 濕濕碎
Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-descriptive-slang-phrases