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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


430 results found

finish

Definition: Often added with a ‘咗’ like the ‘-ed’ form in English for past tense, this is a code-mixing term that is used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to having completed something, such as an event or project. Usage: E.g. 你地finish咗個project未呀? E.g. 終於finish咗個event!Synonym: 完成Reference: https://www.businesstimes.com.hk/articles/157451/創新科技獎學金2024-挑選25位傑出大學生-每人最高15萬港元獎學金/

jor

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing term transliterated from ‘咗’, which is equivalent to the ‘-ed’ particle for past tense in English. Usage: E.g. Jo jor gong for mei ar? (做咗功課未呀?) E.g. Sik jor farn mei ar? (食咗飯未呀?)Synonym: 咗Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/2019/11/16/the-use-of-transliteration-in-kongish/

chur

Definition: 1. (adj). To describe a hectic state where you are so busy that you feel like you cannot breathe. 2. (verb). An Englishised code-mixing term that refers to exhausting oneself in order to get work done in a short period of time, which is usually brought on by demanding customers or people of high authority. Usage: E.g. 今日返工真係好chur呀。(adj) E.g. 哇,呢個客洗唔洗chur到咁盡呀?比條生路人地行吓好嗎?(verb)Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-hea-chok-chur/

princess sickness

Definition: Derived from '公主病', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to a female who acts like a princess all the time and possesses the worst possible qualities such as narcissism and materialism. It tends to associate with Hong Kong women and is quite stereotypical of '港女', the Kong girl. Usage: E.g. 港男:Why are you scolding me like this? Do you have princess sickness? (你做咩喺度鬧我呀? 你係咪有公主病?)Synonym: 公主病Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/49823/

mo la la

Definition: (textspeak) Transliterated from '無啦啦', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that is used as an adverb to describe something that happened suddenly and unexpectedly. Usage: E.g. Kui mo la la da ngo! Chi jor sin! (佢無啦啦打我!痴左線!)

BB

Definition: Often used as 'baby pig' (BB豬) in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to call their lovers. Usage: E.g. BB豬,你買D咩生日禮物比我呀?

g ng g

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing phrase that is used to ask someone whether they know something. Usage: E.g. A: Nei g ng g kui hui jor bin? B: Ng g. (A: 你知唔知佢去左邊? B: 唔知。)Synonym: 知唔知

cam

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to describe a person with a feminised voice. Usage: E.g. 我覺得呢個男人cam cam哋。唔知真係男人定係女人呢?Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

Key

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used with “啱key”, which refers to whether you get along well with somebody. Explanation: like the key in a piece of music. Usage: Eg. 你同你朋友啱唔啱key呀?Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/啱key

no bullsh*t lets go

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to express how serious a matter is and is no joke at all. Usage: E.g. 鍾培生:Sign the f***ing contract. No bullsh*t let's go.Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDK59_Yhv6Y