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10 random words out of 910 results
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to an incompetent person of low status. It is the first part of the allegorical saying '未夠斤兩‘, which means the person is not qualified. Since 2 + 6 taels = half catty, it means the person is not much in catty and taels.
Usage: E.g. You two beat six should not be part of our group!
Synonym: 二打六
Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/41660/
Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to being annoying and persistent in asking people what you want from them, which they may find unpleasant sometimes.
Usage: E.g. 要做成一件事, 我經常會話, 係要夠煩, 要有少少pushy, 要真係問人攞。你既企圖心要夠擔, 夠明顯。無論係愛情, 定係講緊事業, 定係講緊銷售, 定係講緊生意, 有時候要夠煩。(In order to succeed in doing something, I always say that one must be annoying, a little pushy, and be really willing to ask people what you want. You must have a strong and clear ambition. No matter it is love, career, being a salesman or doing business, you have got to be annoying sometimes.)
Synonym: 糾纏不休
Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students love to use to refer to having an argument with another person in a peaceful, academic manner.
Usage: E.g. 我同我個男朋友平時好鍾意嗌交，嗌吓呢樣又嗰樣，不過都係debate姐。(I like to argue with my boyfriend all the time, about this and that, but it's just debating.)
Synonym: 辯論
Reference: https://www.threads.com/@yyanchi._/post/C3_6NO0ySjE?hl=zh-hk
Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students when they want to pause and think how to answer a question, even though it doesn't necessarily imply their ignorance.
Usage: E.g. 唔識答就話that’s a very good question, 然後帶佢遊花園 (If you don't know how to answer, just say that's a very good question. Then beat around the bush.)
Synonym: 問得好
Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2767347/page/3
Definition: With a literal meaning of 'humbly receive', this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers who work in Japanese companies to express politeness before starting to eat a meal, which is equivalent to "Let's eat" in English.
Usage: E.g. A: Itadakimas! B: 其實係唔係一定要講？A: 唔係，不過有禮貌啲囉。(A: Itadakimas! B: Do we actually have to say this? A: No, but it's more polite if we do.)
Synonym: 開飯喇, 唔客氣喇, Let's eat
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itadakimasu
Definition: A code-mixing term used by grassroots class Hong Kongers to refer to how thoroughly cooked a steak is, which is equivalent to ‘well done’ in native English.
Usage: E.g. 個鬼佬轉另轉頭問我: whatxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx? 我好自豪 充滿自信 大大聲答: GOOD JOB!! 個鬼佬就呆哂 唔明我無啦啦做乜講GOOD JOB咁 女友見到 即刻幫我答:WELL DONE (The western waiter then asked me: whatxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx? I was proud and confident and answered loudly: GOOD JOB! The western waiter was speechless and didn't understand why I said good job. When my girlfriend saw this, she immediately helped me answer: WELL DONE)
Synonym: 全熟
Reference: https://amp.lihkg.com/thread/561255/page/1
Definition: Often said with a rising intonation on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Konger badminton coaches like to use to refer to the exact point in time of something because the Cantonese equivalent ‘時機’ somehow sounds less accurate.
Usage: E.g. 描準個ball，睇好個timing打落去，咁先得架嘛。(Aim at the ball, watch for the right timing and hit it. You got it?)
Synonym: 時機
Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to '手提電腦'.
Usage: E.g. 你部laptop用咩CPU架？好似好快喎。
Synonym: 手提電腦
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: An irreplaceable code-mixing term meaning to deliver a speech, as saying the Cantonese equivalent term '匯報' would sound too old school and non-colloquial.
Usage: E.g. 你幾時要present呀？ E.g. 今次份assignment難唔難present呀？
Reference: https://www.academia.edu/8666953/Common_usage_of_code-mixing_among_trilingual_Hong_Kongers