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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


542 results found

freelance

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to the type of work done for companies independently with much flexibility and freedom, which resembles the origin of the word that referred to a medieval mercenary who would fight for whoever paid them the most.

Usage: E.g. 接邊間公司既freelance做先最賺錢呀?緊係呢間啦!(Which company should I earn me the most doing a freelance job for? Definitely this company!)

Synonym: 自由工作

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@duoproduction/post/C_pdWgzS9qd

fun cheung

Definition: With a literal meaning of pig‘s intestines, this is a code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to someone who is lazy and has no progress in life. It originates from the swear word '撚樣‘ and is used as a euphemism for calling someone a dick face.

Usage: E.g. Ditch me again?! This guy is such a fun cheung! (又放我飛機?呢條友仔正粉腸!)

Synonym: 粉腸

Reference: https://jyutdictionary.com/dictionary/entry/粉腸

G

Definition: Originated from ‘gg’ meaning ‘game over' and often transliterated as the loan word ‘豬‘ meaning pig, this is a code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use to describe situations where they have lost or think they already lost. Even though ‘豬‘ has a similar sound as 'g', this is not to be mistaken as a mispronunication as a pig represents stupidity in Cantonese and fits the context and meaning entirely. Also said to have originated from Taiwanese.

Usage: E.g. 今次對手咁勁,真係豬喇喎。(Our opponents are so powerful this time, it's really game over.) E.g. 今次考試豬左。(My exam results is game over.)

Synonym: 豬, 完了,GG

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3388417/page/1

gap

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers as a less explicit way of referring to the period of time a person has not worked especially to employers because it tends to sound small and tiny like a door gap.

Usage: E.g. 如果兩個都差唔多,先揀冇gap個個,因為有gap個個驚佢太自由奔放走左去 (If both candidates are almost the same, I'll choose the one without a gap first, because I'm afraid the one with a gap will leave the company quickly like he has too much freedom.)

Synonym: 間隔;空窗期

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@cyanxxlhtc/post/Da7JddCiceG?xmt=AQG0pf5Hjp1xNodTdIwPcyj9CcvjTMv8N8ttW-V49aFNFN6yNnqItPIk82SCv611OJ_rOpqS&slof=1

gathering

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer people coming together. Even though the term can be used both formally and informally in English, it can actually be more personal and intimate than '聚會' in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 女友稱約朋友去酒店Gathering 男友事後問起她卻支吾以對 (Girlfriend said she was going to a hotel with friends for a gathering, but when her boyfriend asked her about it later, she gave evasive answers.)

Synonym: 聚會

Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/網絡熱話/女友稱約朋友去酒店gathering疑似出軌-637892/

general

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to describe something as too broad, vague or not specific enough without sounding too judgmental.

Usage: E.g. 啲ad永遠都寫得好general,你唔in過根本唔知人地要咩人。(The job ads are always written in such a general sense. You can never know what they are looking for unless you have been interviewed by them before.)

Synonym: 籠統

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/1789393/page/34

ging

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term often used by the younger generation to describe something or someone as very skillful or powerful. (勁)

Usage: E.g. You won the competition?! Ho ging ah! (Very outstanding) E.g. You are so ging at basketball! (Very skillful) E.g. This computer is so ging! (Very powerful)

Synonym: 勁

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%2520alternative%2520to%2520“hou%2520ging,jeng”%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.

Giorgio Armarni

Definition: Known as JM tone and pronounced with an extra 'r' in Armani, this is a code-mixing term used by Hong Kong celebrity Janice Man to refer to the Italian fashion designer and brand.

Usage: E.g.「嚟到GoRgio ARmaRni(Giorgio Armani)嘅show嘅現場…」馬米高聽到一臉疑惑︰「Hello Girl!你去咗冒牌現場啊? Giorgio Arrr讀到呢度都啱,但係咪ar-MARNI?冇R喎!」(Janice Man: "Arriving at the live show of Giorgio ArmaRni..." Michael Ma heard and suspected: "Hello Girl! Did you go to the fake brand's live show? Giorgio Arrr is pronounced correctly, but is it ar-MARNI? There is no R there!)

Synonym: 喬治·亞曼尼, Giorgio Armani

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVyay3rgqtf/?igsh=MWU0bGlyajBnM3B5OQ== (use mobile version)

go through

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to examining something in detail.

Usage: E.g. 老闆:開會時記住同大家go through一下今個week既items。

Reference: https://www.story001.com/post-196.html

good good study day day up

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by Hong Kong local students to encourage others to keep studying hard and make progress every day.

Usage: E.g. My Chinese classmates often tell me to 'Good good study, day day up'. It's so catchy!

Synonym: 好好學習,天天向上

Reference: https://dw-media.tkww.hk/epaper/tkp/20091103/A25_Screen.pdf

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