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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


193 results found

chill

Definition: A code-mixing term used by the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department to describe something as very relaxing. However, the AI anti-drug video that used this word was taken down due to citizens suspecting that the video was promoting the illegal use of drugs instead of discouraging it.

Usage: E.g. 浪漫的煙圈,一支幫你忘記所有煩惱,好chill (Romantic smoke rings — one puff helps you forget all your worries. So chill.)

Synonym: 好放鬆

Reference: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3358606/ai-k-pop-video-pulled-after-anti-drug-message-backfires-hong-kong-prison-service

work life balance

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a job benefit that often comes with some downsides or sacrifices in order to maintain a good balance between work and leisure, such as a lower salary.

Usage: E.g. 網民A:講得出Work-life balance 嘅工多數都唔係Work-life balance (Netizen A: Jobs that say they have a work-life balance usually don't have work-life balance.) E.g. 網民H:人工低咪Work-life balance,但户口唔balance (Netizen H: If you have low salary, it means you have work-life balance, but your bank account will not have a balance.)

Synonym: 工作與生活的平衡

Reference: https://resources.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/35732/職場熱話-香港公司5日工作天就標榜自己係work-life-balance-事主-成日放工仲要覆message

no comment

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that working class Hong Kongers often use as a response to something they don't know an answer to.

Usage: E.g. Q: 返工最撚憎聽到咩口頭蟬?A: No Comment 唔係開會/回覆其他部門啲 email. 係同 team 同事有嘢唔識走嚟問你意見,答乜撚嘢 No Comment (Q: What is a catchphrase that you hate hearing the most at work? A: "No comment". But not when it is used in meetings or replying other department's email. It is when a colleague in your team doesn't know something and asks for your opinion, you reply with "No comment". XDXDXD)

Synonym: 冇意見

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2692508/page/3

old seafood

Definition: Derived from '老屎忽' meaning 'old buttocks', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase used to refer to a person who has high authority in a company but often looks down on the subordinates, points fingers at them, and uses them to his or her advantage.

Usage: E.g. My senior is such an old seafood! He just likes to point his finger at people and doesn't do anything himself!

Synonym: 老屎忽

onsite

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers like to use to describe a job that must be done in a company office.

Usage: E.g. 份合約講明份工要onsite做,冇得work from home。

Synonym: 現場,在工地

dope

Definition: A code-mixing term used by the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department to describe something as very cool and awesome. However, the AI anti-drug video that used this word was taken down due to citizens suspecting that the video was promoting the illegal use of drugs rather than banning it.

Usage: E,g 可樂消暑易入口,幫你提神保持清醒腦筋。超dope!(Coke is refreshing, easy to drink, and helps perk you up and keep your mind sharp. Super dope!)

Synonym: 超正、超酷、超讚

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S19qZb17o2A

which is

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers tend to use instead of the Cantonese equivalent words '即係'.

Usage: E.g. 今日呢個demo係做比大家睇既,which is:如果你地有D咩問題想問關於呢個project,或者你地覺得有D咩地方可以再做好D,請隨便發問或者提議。

job description

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a paragraph of job responsibilities that may be lacking in detail in order to cover up the downsides of the job position.

Usage: E.g. 基本上所謂嘅「正職」,份份都搞唔撚掂,睇job description已經feel到伏到爆;人工就好似倒退咁,俾$20,000已經好似唔想俾咁。(Basically the so-called "full-time job", I cannot really handle every one of these jobs, as reading the job descriptions already makes me feel like it's a trap; Salary is like a regression, and $20,000 is already something they don't want to give.)

Synonym: 工作內容; 職務描述

Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/_hfKA8ePg/

big ear hole

Definition: Derived from '大耳窿' with '窿' sounds like 'loan' in English, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to a person or company that offers loans at extremely high interest rates.

Usage: E.g. Don't borrow money from this company. It is a big ear hole!

Synonym: 大耳窿

fat chicken meal

Definition: Originated from an early pension scheme offered by the Hong Kong government in the 2000's, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a very generous voluntary severance package. Also known as the "golden handshake".

Usage: E.g. Let's apply for a fat chicken meal and retire early!

Synonym: 肥雞餐

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-fat-chicken-meal-肥雞餐-language-hong-kong/

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