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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 946 results

fun

Definition: Often used as a bilingual pun that rhymes with '分' meaning 'points' or 'share' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use in advertising to attract people to attend an event for the sake of having fun and earning points together.

Usage: E.g. 100FUN樂滿紛 |6週年齊FUN享 (100 Fun-Filled Fun | Let's Share Our 6th Anniversary Celebration)

Synonym: 分; 樂趣

Reference: https://www.kkday.com/zh-hk/product/270767?srsltid=AfmBOoozOC0SsPhQP61ffB7h06phXofqw0cf1SPQbf-CHhWuSNHZs5Co

Boxing Day

Definition: Originated from a tradition where people would donate gifts to those in need, this is a code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who do not want to be misunderstood as the day on which they would open presents, as the Cantonese equivalent terms denote the opening of presents on that day.

Usage: E.g. 聽日就係boxing day。你會去邊到shopping?(Tomorrow is boxing day. Where will you go shopping?)

Synonym: 節禮日, 拆禮物日

Reference: https://zh-yue.wikipedia.org/wiki/拆禮物日

no need to ask Ah Gui

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to something that is so obvious that there is no need to ask anyone about it, especially after finding out the wrong of somebody. 'Ah Gui' is a name that originated from an infamous official (李世桂) in the Qing Dynasty.

Usage: E.g. It must be him who let out the secrets! No need to ask Ah Gui!

Synonym: 唔洗問阿貴

Reference: https://www.kamadelivery.com/blog/posts/香港10大俗語-地道文化背景大解構/

pretend to be a pig to eat a tiger

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to acting dumb and innocent in order to win someone, such as in a card game.

Usage: E.g. I know you've got an ace up your sleeves! Stop pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger!

Synonym: 扮豬食老虎

Reference: https://ling-app.com/yue/cantonese-slang-words/

low ram

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to describe having a short attention span or memory usually due to being tired.

Usage: E.g. 我今日好low ram呀。我諗食完飯之後就唔去下場喇。(I think I have a short attention span today. I think I will finish dinner and not go to the next round.)

Synonym: 記憶力

figure out

Definition: This is a code-mixing phrase that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '諗到' in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 我暫時仲未figure out到點樣solve個problem。

Reference: https://english.cool/code-switching/

goodest

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers use to refer to something of the best quality.

Usage: E.g. 2000FUN討論區是香港最「Goodest」。

Synonym: 最好,best

Reference: https://evchk.fandom.com/zh/wiki/Goodest

gg

Definition: Derived from 'good game' in English, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a bad situation, such as not completing work before a deadline. (完蛋了)

Usage: E.g. 今晚做唔哂D野真係gg喇。點算呀?(完蛋了)

Reference: https://www.csb.gov.hk/hkgcsb/eon/190/190/190_3.html

pat pat

Definition: Purportedly to have originated from the name of a disposable diaper, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Konger use as a euphemistic way to refer to a person's buttocks, which is very appropriate to say when talking to toddlers.

Usage: E.g. 唔好曳啊,曳就打PAT-PAT (Don't be naughty, or else I will hit your buttocks)

Synonym: 屁股

Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/PAT-PAT

travel

Definition: A chique sounding code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to going on a trip without quite knowing the particular destination.

Usage: E.g. A: 今次假期又去邊到呀? B: 唔知呀,我鍾意去呢到travel吓,又去嗰到travel吓,總之去到邊就邊囉。(A: Where will you go this holiday? B: I don't know. I just like to travel here and travel there, just wherever I travel then where I go.)

Synonym: 旅遊

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