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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


542 results found

anyway

Definition: A term used by native Hong Kongers to divert one topic to another in a polite manner. Usage: E.g. 係呀,個proposal已經搞掂了。Anyway, 我兒家要去開meeting。 E.g. 份proposal仲未搞掂?Anyways, 我兒家要食lunch喇。Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

ma ma dei

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

somehow

Definition: A way to avoid losing face or embarassment when you do not know how to answer the boss's question. However, it can be considered unprofessional if used too much at a workplace. Usage: E.g. 你:我搵過好多次,但係somehow條數搵唔到。老細:哦,係呀?(你:我搵過好多次,但係唔知點解條數搵唔到。老細:咁實有原因架喎?) E.g. 你:個printer somehow壞左呀。老細:哦。(你:個printer唔知點解壞左呀。老細:我唔想聽到唔知點解!)

project

Definition: A generic code-mixing term that can used for a number of different items in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 你公司近排搞緊D咩project呀?(項目) E.g. 今次呢個project搞成點呀?(研究) E.g. 你諗住下次搞d咩project呀?(計劃) E.g. 小心D呀,唔見寫住project in progress咩?(工程)Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

eat dead cat

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone being a scapegoat or taking the blame for something that they did not do. Usage: E.g. I did not cheat in the exam and you made me eat dead cat??!Synonym: 食死貓Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms

eat wet rice

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who is useless and is a waste of money to raise him or her up. (食濕米 or 食塞米) Usage: E.g. You cannot get anything done at all today? Do you eat wet rice? (你係咪食塞米?)Synonym: 食濕米, 食塞米Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/%E9%A3%9F%E5%A1%9E%E7%B1%B3

sodiasm

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by local student Hong Kongers to refer to a female janitor or cleaner. Usage: E.g. My aunt is a sodiasm in Queen Elizabeth hospital.Synonym: 掃地阿嬸Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now?utm_campaign=likeshopme&utm_medium=instagram&utm_source=dash+hudson&utm_content=www.instagra

on9

Definition: (vulgar, textspeak) A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who's idiotic and stupid. It originated from the Cantonese words '憨鳩' because the '鳩' (penis) has a similar pronunciation as the number 9 in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. Why did you piss on me? Are you on9? (憨鳩) E.g. Don't be so on99 and watch where you're going! (憨鳩鳩)Synonym: 憨鳩Reference: https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=28512

seven head

Definition: Known as Kongish and derived from '柒頭' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe or scold someone who is stupid and brainless like a dickhead. (龜頭) Usage: E.g. You seven head go and collect skin! (你個柒頭去收皮啦!)Synonym: 柒頭Reference: https://www.topprint2000.com/online-shop/product/1131018/

fall country fall city

Definition: Derived from the idiom '傾國傾城', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase used to describe women that are so devastatingly beautiful that they can make a country or city fall. Usage: E.g. The girls in this club are so fall country fall city!Synonym: 傾國傾城