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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


11 results found

I can't believe it

Definition: A tag-switching phrase that is often overused by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong.

Usage: E.g. I can't believe it!呢隻牌子你唔係未聽過嗎? E.g. Oh my God! 你唔係未去過呢間餐廳嘛?I can't believe it!

Synonym: 我唔相信

Reference: https://topick.hket.com/article/555250/偽ABC扮唔識中文%20網民揶揄造作

AI

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers as a trendier way to refer to artificial intelligence because it sounds more powerful like an entity that is capable of operating on its own rather than something that is just man-made as the Cantonese term denotes.

Usage: 上司:萬一發現AI可以取代你,高層要郁你我都保你唔住呀。你見我隻字不提你就好醒水啦,AI咁勁,分分鐘郁埋我㗎死仔 (Boss: In case people find out that AI can replace you, I can't protect you if the senior executives have to fire you. You see I am not mentioning anything to them so you better be smart. Since AI is so powerful, it might even fire me in a minute, you brat.)

Synonym: 人工智能

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3874628/page/1

assess

Definition: Originated from ‘access’, this is a code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to the means through which one can enter a system or having the permission to retrieve data from a system.

Usage: E.g. 唔該可唔可以比個database既assess比我? (Could you give me the access to the database?) E.g. 我assess唔到個system。可唔可以比密碼我?(I cannot access the system. Can you give me the password?)

Synonym: access, 讀取

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/CjZh3wSpu4l/ (use mobile version)

bend machine

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers to describe having an overly powerful ability to do something, such as winning a game.

Usage: E.g. I can't believe you are winning every game! Are you bending machine?!

Synonym: 屈機

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-cantonese-slang-internet

In general

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that overseas educated Hong Kongers use when they want to express their well-educated guess or opinion on a subject matter without sounding so formal and bookish.

Usage: E.g. 呢個program我覺得in general係幾學到野。(I think I can really learn from this program in general.)

Synonym: 一般而言

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3990504/page/1

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/

OK

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Miss Hong Kong girls when they genuinely find something as acceptable or satisfactory, such as marrying a guy who is not rich.

Usage: E.g. 莊子璇:一定要同富豪,同有錢人一齊,我覺得又唔一定,都係一個刻板印象嚟,我都可以同一個好愛嘅人或者佢冇乜錢我都Ok。(Hilary Chong: Being with a tycoon or a rich guy, I don't think it is necessary. This is only a stereotype. I can also be with a person I love or if he doesn't have much money I'm also OK.)

Synonym: 可以(接受)

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60346013/莊子璇被封-富豪殺手-反擊網民對港姐有偏見-佢冇乜錢我都ok?itm_source=universal_search&itm_campaign=hk01&itm_content=all&itm_medium=web

shuttle

Definition: Often said without a 'bus', this is a chique sounding code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to a vehicle that has more specific and direct route to a destination. However, the Cantonese equivalent '穿梭巴士' may be used more often during holiday as it may sound more enjoyable and less 'chur' to ride on.

Usage: E.g. 我每日返工都有得搭shuttle,好快就到公司。 (I can take the shuttle to work every day and get to to office very fast.)

Synonym: 穿梭巴士,接駁巴士

Reference: https://www.weekendhk.com/網絡熱話/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-香港人-ctb02-by-1413297/2/

two five boy

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to someone who betrays others. ie. A traitor. (二五仔)

Usage: E.g. I can't believe you are the two five boy who let out the secret!

Synonym: 二五仔

Reference: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202105/25/AP60ac0e63e4b0a46dabeb8867.html

Victoria girl

Definition: Derived from Victoria Harbour and upgraded from 'Kong girl', this is a code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to describe a Hong Kong girl who is arrogant, sharp-tongued and overly self-important, like having "blue-blood" princess-like attitude. When compared with the 'Kong girl', the only real difference seems to be that the girl is proud of being called a 'Victoria girl' rather than a 'Kong girl' because the former sounds more elegant and posh while the latter sounds more of a deragatory term.

Usage: E.g. I can't believe I went from being an egg tart girl in housing estates to Rosewood hotel-level. I am now a Victoria girl and I'm proud of it.

Synonym: 維多利亞妹, 維妹

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUn44TmjESh/?img_index=4&igsh=YWluejFiZm1rdHdp (use mobile version)

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