Define Your Term | Login
What is code-mixing? | Mission | About | Learn More | Downloads | Lectures | Videos |
Instagram Instagram
English | Chinese

Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 725 results

lounge

Definition: Often pronounced as 'launch', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a club lounge in a hotel. Usage: E.g. 唔該,請問個lounge喺邊?我想搵個位坐吓先。Synonym: 休息聽Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mz8kUbNcMw

la la lum

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to get someone to hurry up, which is similar to the phrase 'chop chop' in English. (Also see 'ja ja lum'.) Usage: E.g. La la lum get your homework done! E.g. Leave now or you'll miss the train! La la lum la!Synonym: 嗱嗱臨

whatever

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers when they want to express their dissatisfaction towards someone or something when they are running out of patience. Also, a 'la' particle is usually added to the end of it to emphasize the casual tone. Usage: E.g. A:個客講左D咩? B:咪話過要呢樣又嗰樣囉,總之whatever啦。(A: What did the client say? B: Said they wanted this and that, just... whatever la.) E.g. A:今餐想食D咩? B:Whatever啦。(A: What do you want to eat for this meal? B: Whatever la.)Synonym: 咩都好啦Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1505250505201422336.html

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。

discuss

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to talk about a topic with someone or a group of people and have them share their ideas and opinions. Usage: E.g. 不如一齊discuss吓個project點樣做? E.g. 我地discuss吓個問題,然後再結論。可以嗎?Synonym: 討論
Definition: A Kongish expression used to describe someone who is so reckless that he or she is almost getting himself killed or into a big trouble. Usage: You spent all your money on gambling? Do you know how to write the die character?!Synonym: 你唔知個死字點寫

chaam

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term used to describe how poor (慘) someone is. Usage: E.g. I cried coz I am very chaam. E.g. 今次考試肥左真係好chaam。 E.g. 做到扒左喺到咁真係chaamchaam豬。Synonym: 慘Reference: https://topick.hket.com/article/3056055/【港式英文】嫌米綫店「updup」及食客「wuddud」%20%20%20%20港女IG發文形容好「Chaam」

research

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers use to emphasize how much paper work needs to be done when conducting studies of a subject, rather than just merely studying as the Cantonese equivalent '研究' denotes. Usage: E.g. 我兒家part-time喺大學做research,好忙架。(I am now part-time doing research at university, very busy.)Synonym: 研究Reference: https://www.threads.com/@146snk/post/DKQjVZnhSNU/香港嘅bachelor訓練根本就冇乜預你去做research所以根本唔會教你點申請mphilphd-點樣寫research-proposal-點樣approac

drop dog sh*t

Definition: Derived from '落狗屎‘, this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to raining very heavily, which is equivalent of the phrase 'raining cats and dogs' in English. Usage: E.g. Wa! Right now is really drop dog sh*t ah! (哇!兒家真係落狗屎呀!)Synonym: 落狗屎Reference: https://ling-app.com/yue/cantonese-slang-words/

lie flat

Definition: Derived from the Chinese internet slang '躺平', this is an Englishised code-mixing term used to describe a lifestyle of doing as little as possible, due to knowing that there is a 'rat race' going on where everyone is competing for jobs such that it is almost impossible to keep up with the societal pressure. Usage: E.g. This exam is so difficult! I am lying flat! E.g. I am not lying flat! I must continue to find a better job!Synonym: 躺平Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-internet-and-texting-slang-to-use-right-now
Define Your Term | Learn More