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

Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 946 results

lunch

Definition: A fashionable code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a meal served at noontime where they can be more casual, carefree and relaxed than in an environment created by the Cantonese equivalent ’午餐‘.

Usage: E.g. 你仲做野?快啲食lunch先啦!(You are still working? Let’s eat lunch first!)

Synonym: 午餐

Reference: https://www.ilc.cuhk.edu.hk/workshop/Chinese/Cantonese/CantoneseExpress/characteristics/p2.aspx

I have no time

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase used by local Hong Kong students to refer to having no time for activities such as dinner or party, which doesn't necessarily mean they have no more time left in their lives such as due to a terminal illness.

Usage: E.g. A: Do you want to join the party tonight? B: I have no time.

Synonym: 我冇時間

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj7SHv4Jhw4

last minute

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong local students to refer to the revision notes that they would read at the last moment before a DSE exam.

Usage: E.g. 最後一分鐘(Last minute)系列 - 你點睇? (What do you think of the book series called Last Minute?)

Synonym: 最後一分鐘

Reference: https://blog.tutorcircle.hk/33397/最後一分鐘-last-minute-有冇用-好唔好/#google_vignette

yum cha

Definition: An Englishised Cantonese phrase that real ABC Hong Kongers use to refer to going to a traditional Chinese restaurant for dim sum. (飲茶)

Usage: E.g. Let's go to yum cha this weekend!

Synonym: 飲茶

office

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '辦公室'.

Usage: E.g. 聽日返office定係work from home呀?

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

wet

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers love to use to refer to hanging out and having fun, especially in bars and clubs.

Usage: E.g. 今晚諗住去邊到wet呀? E.g. 媽:比心機讀書。唔好成日掛住we we wet wet啦!

Synonym: 蒲

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/624997/21句顯老潮語-好in-kai子聽到打冷震-m嘢-格格蕉蕉咩意思#media_id=6904876

mind

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to soften the tone when requesting for something, especially when the speaker does not want to be rejected.

Usage: E.g. 你:mind唔mind我跟返呢個客? 同事:唔mind。 (你:介唔介意我跟返呢個客? 同事:介意。) E.g. 你:mind唔mind我坐喺到? 陌生人:唔mind。(你:介唔介意我坐喺到? 陌生人:介意。) E.g. 你:mind唔mind等我一陣? 老細:唔mind。 (你:介唔介意等我一陣? 老細:介意。)

Let's say

Definition: A way to avoid sounding too imaginative when you want to suggest things that are impossible to happen.

Usage: E.g. Let’s say你有日比人老粒左,你會點呢? E.g. Let’s say你考試肥佬左,你會點面對你家人? E.g. Let's say你比人打獲金,你會唔會還拖?

push

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to persuading someone forcefully to do or achieve something.

Usage: E.g. 資優學生唔需要push佢地做,係咁依點下就ok。(There is no need to push talented students, as you just need to guide them casually.)

Synonym: 逼迫;催逼

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/337010/page/1

sick leave

Definition: Often used as the short form 'SL', this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a day where an employee is sick and needs to notify their company of their absence, which they often have a hard time explaining to their boss that they were really sick on that day.

Usage: E.g. 最撚仆街係SL完第二日就會俾老細問候你有冇事,然後你做乜嘢老細都會黑面 (The most f***ing stupid thing is that the next day after your sick leave you will be greeted by the boss asking if you are okay, and then no matter what you do the boss will still be dissatisfied.)

Synonym: 病假

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3995179/page/3

Define Your Term | Learn More
Feel free to send your comments and suggestions to info@megaexplorer.net.