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10 random words out of 910 results
Definition: A versatile code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use in a variety of situations, depending on the context. However, the recently popular phrase of 'take嘢' can also be roughly translated into a number of different things and not only refer to taking drugs, as the Cantonese word '嘢' has a literal meaning of 'thing'.
Usage: E.g. 你諗住take邊科? (Which subject will you take?) E.g. 我要take個sick leave. (I will need to take a sick leave.) E.g. 上堂要記住take notes. (Remember to take notes during lesson.)
Synonym: 拿取, 攞, 拎
Definition: A tag-switching phrase overused by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong to create a western appeal.
Usage: E.g. You know, 我成日去做gym緊係fit啦, you know。 E.g. 我係上等人咁緊係成日夾雜英文啦, you know?
Reference: https://travel.ulifestyle.com.hk/news/detail/12179/明明無r音都要捲舌-5大令人頂唔順的偽abc特徵/1
Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers in the 1990's in a schoolyard joke rhyme with absurd religious crossover.
Usage: E.g. I don't know，食鬆糕，食完鬆糕變耶穌，耶穌教我念聖經，我教耶穌念佛經，耶穌話我唔正經，我話耶穌發神經。(I don't know, I'll eat sponge cake; after eating it, I'll turn into Jesus. Jesus teaches me to recite the Bible, and I teach Jesus to recite Buddhist sutras. Jesus says I'm not being serious, and I tell Jesus he's gone mad.)
Synonym: 我唔知
Reference: https://www.hk01.com/article/830396?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01appshare
Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use when they want to apologise politely for something.
Usage: E.g. *Holding up a queue* Mm ho yi si. E.g. *Butts into a conversation* Mm ho yi si. Where is the MTR?
Synonym: 唔好意思
Definition: A more positive-sounding code-mixing term compared to the same item (計劃) in Cantonese. Often pronounced as 'pan'.
Usage: E.g. 做D咩都要plan定先得架麻。 E.g. 做Ｄ咩都要計劃好先得架麻。(you may sound like a schemer in this one! XD)
Reference: https://aclanthology.org/O09-5003.pdf
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone being forgetful and careless, such as forgetting their keys or where they put their phone. (大頭蝦 - daai6 tau4 haa1)
Usage: E.g. A: You forgot to bring your wallet? Such a big head shrimp!
Synonym: 大頭蝦
Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-大頭蝦-big-head-prawn-language-hong-kong/
Definition: A code-mixing term used by local student Hong Kongers to refer to a library. (拉把)
Usage: E.g. 聽日去唔去拉把呀?
Synonym: 圖書館
Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/59088/
Definition: Often shortened to 'pkm' in textspeak, this is a code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers to refer to Pokemon. However, it is not to be confused with 'PK' in Cantonese, which is a vulgar expression meaning to tell someone to go to h*ll.
Usage: E.g 你本身唔中意pkm點爆都唔會開心 (If you don't like Pokemon, you will never be happy ripping open card boosters.)
Synonym: Pokemon
Reference: https://www.threads.com/@plee_0107/post/DakcU7DEg0D/
Definition: Originated from 'thank you' and often pronounced as '釘橋' meaning nail bridge in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to express their gratitude towards someone.
Usage: E.g. Dank you哂你幫我手呀。不如我今日請你食lunch好嗎？(Thank you for helping me out. What about I treat you lunch today?)
Synonym: thank you, 釘橋
Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLR0QEuMT7j/ (use mobile version)
Definition: A more neutral-sounding code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to describe someone's personality as humorous, especially when they are not sure whether to give praise to someone.
Usage: E.g. 佢係mix黎既，講野個tone都幾溫柔，然後性格都幾funny吓。
Synonym: 搞笑
Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uik5GWvXiLA&t=210s