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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 613 results

short

Definition: (adj.) insane; malfunctioning; derived from "short circuit". Often used as "sot sot deih", meaning a little insane. Usage: E.g. 你契爺凍到short咗. (Your godfather is freezing to the point of insanity.) E.g. 部冷氣機short左。快D搵人黎整返佢啦。
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to express disbelief at someone in fulfilling a promise. (比個官你做) Usage: E.g. You say you will return your money by tomorrow? I let you be the government official!Synonym: 比個官你做

hello

Definition: Often pronounced as 'ha-lo', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers often use to greet somebody instead of '你好', which sounds too formal sometimes. Usage: E.g. Ha-lo,我叫Peter。你叫咩名?

low tech

Definition: (adj) A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to describe something that is very unadvanced in technology.  There is a famous quote that goes "High Tech揩野,Low Tech撈野", which describes the volatility of high-tech products as opposed to low-tech products that have a larger market despite high competition. '撈' refers to '有得撈', which means you can earn a living. Usage: E.g. 今時今日唔可以再咁low tech架喇。快D買返部智能手機啦。Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201902353/201902353_1.pdf

one ball seventy percent off

Definition: Derived from '一波三折', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe an unexpected event with twists and turns. Literal meaning: A wave that is split into three segments. Usage: E.g. 呢排真係好黑仔呀。簡直係one ball seventy percent off呀。(一波三折)Synonym: 一波三折Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/58665/

mai daan

Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to ask the waiter to get the bill. Usage: E.g. Mai daan, mm goi! (埋單, 唔該!)Synonym: 埋單Reference: https://homekong.com.hk/blogs/read/helpful-cantonese-phrases-to-know

happy

Definition: (verb.) An adjective-turned-verb code-mixing term meaning to enjoy oneself. Usage: E.g. 做人久唔久都要happy一吓先得架嘛。 E.g. 今個週末一齊去happy吓好嗎? E.g. 聽日放工一齊去happy hour啦!(歡樂時光)

snake king

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to slacking off at work. Usage: E.g. Don't be such a snake king all the time! Get some work done!Synonym: 蛇王

canteen

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students prefer to use over 'cafeteria' from American English, which is not only due to Hong Kong having a British colonial history, but also it is closer to the equivalent term '餐廳' pronounced as 'can-ting' in Mandarin. Usage: E.g. 快啲落canteen霸位食飯啦!(Let's head down to hog the seats at the canteen to have a meal!)Synonym: 餐廳, 飯堂Reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/etymology/comments/m1ytyg/question_etymology_of_canteen_from_french_italian/

sharp

Definition: 1. (adj) A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to describe a person being clever or quick to notice things. Sometimes, it is used as 'sharp醒'. 2. (adj) Used to describe someone's appearance as being too eye-catching. Usage: E.g. 哇,乜今日咁sharp醒呀?咁快做哂D野? E.g. 呢件衫D顏色太sharp喇。Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html