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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


79 results found

m

Definition: A euphemistic code-mixing term that refers to 'menstruation' in English.  However, it is also used as 'M記' to refer to McDonald\'s. Usage: E.g. 唔好話我聽兒家先黎M麻? E.g. 今次真係M到阿媽都唔認得喇!E.g. 今日又食M記?唔好喇掛!

toilet

Definition: A euphemistic code-mixing term that refers to the same item ‘廁所’ in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 老師,唔該可唔可以去toilet呀? E.g. 咁多位,我去一去toilet先。Reference: https://sites.google.com/site/hongkonglinguistics/Downhome/language-contact-in-hong-kong/cantonese-englishintra-sententialcode-switchinginhongkong

ja ja lum

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to tell somebody to hurry up, which is similar to the phrase 'chop chop' in English. (Also see 'la la lum') Usage: E.g. Ja ja lum go to school now or you will miss the bus! Eg. Finish your homework! Ja ja lum la!Synonym: 咋咋臨

la la lum

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to get someone to hurry up, which is similar to the phrase 'chop chop' in English. (Also see 'ja ja lum'.) Usage: E.g. La la lum get your homework done! E.g. Leave now or you'll miss the train! La la lum la!Synonym: 嗱嗱臨

kai

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to someone who is silly and stupid. ie. An imbecile. Usage: E.g. 唔好成日咁KAI喺到亂咁嗌啦!你係低能定係白痴架?! E.g. Don't be so kai yelling all the time! Are you low b or an idiot?

three does not know seven

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who does not know anyone. Originated from a game similar to Rummikub where pulling cards should add up to nine, but not over. Otherwise, the player will lose the game. Usage: E.g. I have never been to this event before! Everyone was like 'three does not know seven'!Synonym: 三唔識七Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms

cut

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to hanging up the phone. Usage: E.g. 又cut我電話?咩事呀? E.g. 呢D sales再打黎cut佢線得架喇。Reference: https://repository.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/tc/item/cuhk-321644

big lemon coke

Definition: Known as Kongish and derived from '大檸樂', this is a more euphemistic way of saying the vulgar expression '大撚鑊', which means a big f***ing serious trouble has occurred. Usage: E.g. I forgot to hand in my assignment yesterday. Big lemon coke!Synonym: 大檸樂

high tea

Definition: A code-mixing term that upper class Hong Kongers love to use to refer to ‘下午茶’, which is afternoon tea. Usage: E.g. 今日下晝有冇時間high tea呀? E.g. High唔high tea呀你? (下午茶)Synonym: 下午茶