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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


264 results found

explode rock

Definition: Known as Kongish and sometimes used as 'to go rock blasting', this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to going for a wee. (爆石)

Usage: E.g. Please wait a moment. I need to go rock blasting!

Synonym: 爆石

explode seed

Definition: Originated from Gundam seed and used as '爆seed' (explode seed), this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to unleashing one's potential.

Usage: E.g. 呢鋪game我志在必得,各位我要出絕招爆seed啦!

Reference: https://saucemedia.net/interesting/香港過氣潮語-潮語-十卜-32355/7/

extra

Definition: Often complemented with '野' meaning 'thing', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to some freebie or reward that comes with buying something or writing a review for a purchase. At times, it can also refer to any additional work that is out of the scope of an employee's role that they don't frigging want to do.

Usage: E.g. 開po出文幫手宣傳,真係會有extra野送 (If you post an article to help advertise a product, there will really be extra things rewarded.) E.g. 外賣仔的工作係餐廳出貨後送貨去你屋企無責任做extra野 (The job of a delivery person is to deliver food to your home after the restaurant prepares it, and they have no responsibility to do anything extra.)

Synonym: 額外

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3951705/page/1

fade out

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to withdrawing from a relationship gradually. However, it can also be comparable to 'ghosting' if the withdrawal is sudden enough.

Usage: E.g. 可以點樣fade out想追我既人 (How can I fade out from someone who is chasing me?)

Synonym: 淡出

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2975441/page/1

fail

Definition: Often transliterated and pronounced as the loan phrase '肥佬' meaning 'fat guy', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe getting an unsuccessful result when doing something. Sometimes, it can be shortened to '肥' (fat) as a verb.

Usage: E.g. 哎呀!今次考試肥左佬! E.g. 唔係掛?考咁多次都肥?!

Synonym: 肥佬

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/16296/

fake

Definition: Originated from sports and often used with a ‘咗’ in Cantonese denoting past tense, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to deceiving someone with a posture or misinformation rather than something like a fraud or scam, even though it can be serious at times causing real inconvenience to people.

Usage: E.g. 俾 "轉工要趁後生" 呢句嘢fake咗 (I got misled by the saying "Take the opportunity to change jobs while we are young".)

Synonym: fake咗

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3004954/page/2

Fake ABC

Definition: Short for Fake American Born Chinese, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to someone who knows Chinese but chooses not to speak it.

Usage: E.g. 不過睇完個comment section,我又諗起香港另一個幾有趣嘅phenomenon:Fake ABC,同埋選擇性唔識講中文。(But after reading the comment section, I was reminded of another quite interesting phenomenon in Hong Kong: Fake ABC, and choosing not to speak Chinese.)

Synonym: 偽海外華人

Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/_72A6byQW/

fans

Definition: Pronounced as 'fan-see' with a rising intonation on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to admirers of a person, such as a celebrity.  Sometimes, the transliteration of the word '粉絲' is used instead.

Usage: E.g. 我係你既忠心fans黎架。同我影張相好嗎?

Synonym: 粉絲

fashion sense

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to having an instinct for what is stylish, which they believe can be developed through nurture.

Usage: E.g. 培養fashion sense前 買衫望多啲款襯下色 除左黑色,唔好由頭到腳都同一隻色 仲要諗下有咩鞋襯到衫 手袋都要襯 (To nurture fashion sense, have a look at more styles and matching colours when buying clothes. Do not choose the same color from head to toe except black. Also think about what shoes match the outfit. Handbags must also match.)

Synonym: 時尚感

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2725538/page/1

feel

Definition: (noun) A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe an experience as pleasurable. However, it can also be used to refer to having romantic feelings towards a person.

Usage: E.g. 呢間bar好有feel。(This bar has a good vibe.) E.g. 唔好意思,我對你冇feel。(Sorry, but I don’t have any feelings for you.)

Synonym: 感覺; 氣氛; 心情

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNvk8qHZBN-/ (use mobile version)

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