Define Your Term | Login
What is code-mixing? | Mission | About | Learn More | Downloads | Lectures | Videos |
Instagram Instagram
English | Chinese

Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 822 results

common

Definition: Often pronounced as ‘cummun’, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to express how common something is without making it sound unpopular or nothing special. Usage: E.g. 做呢個行業好common架咋。(This occupation is so common!)Synonym: 普遍, 普通Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/C04Br91vuJT/ (use mobile version)

take

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Konger girls to refer to having the strength or resilience to handle something emotionally, as in "I can take it", which they can sometimes do to a certain extent. Usage: E.g. 出到嚟網上有咁多言論一路話我,我就覺得算啦,我係做呢行,我take(接受)咗佢啦,唔緊要啦。但take下take下,都take咗年幾兩年 (When I started working in this industry, there were so many discussions on the Internet talking about me, I thought it was okay because I knew I was in this industry, so I took it, it doesn't matter. But as I kept taking this and taking that, I realised that I had already been taking things in for a few years)Synonym: 承受; 承受壓力Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60359289/jw王灝兒分手後啞忍兩年-眼濕濕平反拜金論-我仲使乜入tvb拍劇?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01appshare

signature

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers like to use to refer to a distinctive characteristic by which someone or something can be identified. Usage: E.g. 中英夾雜絕對係香港人signature。 E.g. 呢碟菜就係呢間餐廳既signature。Synonym: 標誌,招牌菜Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ

frankly speaking

Definition: A code-mixing term that is used when you really care not to offend someone. Usage: E.g. Frankly speaking呢,我覺得你唔夠quali囉。 E.g. Frankly speaking呢,我對你既印象麻麻地囉。 E.g. Frankly speaking呢,我覺得你好扮野囉。

cheese cake

Definition: Often expressed as two separate words ‘cheese’ and ‘cake’, this is a code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who have more than a regular habit of going to Starbucks or Pacific Coffee to eat cheesecake. Usage: E.g. A: 唔該,我想要十個blueberry cheeeeese cake. B: 唔好意思,冇咁多個。(Excuse me, may I have ten blueberry cheesecakes? B: I’m sorry, but there aren’t that many.)Synonym: 芝士蛋糕Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/760451/page/1

get

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to understanding the gist of something.  Sometimes, it is also used to refer to understanding the small parts of something, in order to understand the whole thing. Usage: E.g. 佢好像唔係咁get我們講D咩。 E.g. 你要get到最基本既concept先,之後你就會明哂所有野。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

no show

Definition: A noun phrase-looking code-mixing verb that native Hong Kongers use to refer to someone who did not turn up at an event or occasion. Usage: E.g. 大日子遲到同no show無分別 (On an important occasion, there is no difference between being late and not showing up.)Synonym: 冇到, 缺席Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3844386/page/9

touchwood

Definition: (noun) A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers say in order to avoid bad luck, which is similar to '大吉利是' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. Touchwood講句,如果件貨聽日唔準時到,請問要等到幾時呢?Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/733616/page/1

dor jeh

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that foreigners use to utter the phrase 'thank you' in Cantonese when they receive a red packet during Chinese New Year. Usage: E.g. Dor jeh! Gung hei fat choi!Synonym: 多謝Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know

I really appreciate it

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by overseas educated Hong Kongers who want to express their sincere gratitude towards someone without saying 'thank you' repetitively. Usage: E.g. 唔該哂你幫我手呀。I really appreciate it.Synonym: 我好感激你Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKwHZnk1ZNs
Define Your Term | Learn More