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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


772 results found

unlikely

Definition: Purportedly to have come from JobsDB applications, this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers as a less direct way of informing someone the very small chance of good news happening, such as the extension of an employee's contract. Usage: E.g. 下屬:請問我大唔大可能會續約? 上司:暫時黎講,續約係會unlikely。(Employee: May I ask how likely my contract will extend? Employer: As of now, the chance of extending your contract is unlikely.)Synonym: 唔大可能; 冇可能Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2591532/page/1

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

counter

Definition: Pronounced as 'kaahn-taah' with a long back vowel and rising intonation, this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a cashier's counter, information desk or service counter. Usage: E.g. 小弟係個賣game仔,話說我今日放飯果陣緊係出去食飯啦,咁個counter緊係冇人啦 (I'm a game seller, and of course I went out to have lunch during my lunch break today, so there was no one looking after the counter.)Synonym: 收銀處; 客戶服務中心; 櫃檯Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/740067/page/1

result

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to the numerical outcome of something rather than the consequence or ending of something. Usage: E.g. 出嚟個result有70分。(The result which came out was 70 marks.)Synonym: 數據; 結果Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3797010/page/1

guarantee

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer more specifically to the legal promises made by a company, especially in a contract or agreement. Usage: E.g. bonus guarantee 有3個月?有d 公司好仆街係咪都話生意唔好減咁d 架wor (Is it guaranteed to have 3 months of bonus? Some companies are really an epic fail and say their business is not doing good then lower your salary.)Synonym: 保證Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2863234/page/3

double click

Definition: A trendy-sounding code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to pressing twice on a mouse or touchpad quickly and gently. Usage: E.g. 我點樣 fix 我嘅滑鼠每次想 click 一下嘅時候,都會 double click 呢?(How can I fix my mouse? Whenever I click it, it clicks twice?)Synonym: 雙擊Reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/u21xlf/how_do_i_fix_my_mouse_double_clicking_whenever_i/?tl=zh-hant

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

exposure

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to being able to gain experience of something by being in a particular environment rather than having physical contact with something. However, it is not to be confused with public exposure. Usage: E.g. 學習語言要夠exposure。(Learning a language needs enough exposure.) E.g. 做開大行去細行一定唔慣,exposure 又細啲,資源又小啲。(It must be hard getting used to working in a small company if you came from a large company. There is less exposure and resources are also less.)Synonym: 接觸Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2363704/page/1

struggle

Definition: (verb/adj.) A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a less intense emotional state due to trivial matters. Usage: E.g. 好Struggle買唔買ps5。 (Really struggling on whether to buy Playstation 5.) E.g. 我仲struggle緊今晚食D咩好。(I'm still struggling on what to eat tonight.)Synonym: 掙扎Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3519800/page/1

focus

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to a less physical directing of attention onto something. Sometimes, it may be used in order to avoid sounding like one has ADHD. Usage: E.g. 老師,我頭先focus唔到聽書,可唔可以再講多次?(Teacher, I really can't focus on listening to your lecture. Can you repeat again?)Synonym: 專注; 集中Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/CynQSwpSd-P/?img_index=5 (use mobile version)
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