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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 910 results

dan so

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term that refers to 'dancing society'.

Usage: E.g. 同學:你參加左咩so呀?你:dan so囉。內地學生:什麼?你:唔好意思。係dancing society呀。

Synonym: 跳舞學會

1999

Definition: Derived from '一舊舊' meaning 'in lumps', this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to someone talking in an unclear, broken manner. Sometimes, it can also refer to work being done in a sloppy way.

Usage: E.g. 最後功能就係開會叫晒啲落手做既同business owner黎自己傾,自己就成個文員咁係側邊mark notes,有啲廢pm就連呢part都做到1999要人事後叫佢改 (E.g. The last useful thing they would do is to hold a meeting that lets the workers and business owners to talk to each other, and the project manager would just be like a clerk marking notes at the side. Some crappy project managers would even do this part in a very sloppy way that people needed to tell them to revise it afterwards.)

Synonym: 一舊舊

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-internet-and-texting-slang-to-use-right-now

long d

Definition: A shortened term for 'long distance' meaning to have a long distance relationship with someone.

Usage: E.g. 我plan左去working holiday。到陣時要同男朋友long d喇。

Synonym: 遠距離戀愛; 異地戀

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uik5GWvXiLA&t=210s

extra

Definition: Often complemented with '野' meaning 'thing', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to some freebie or reward that comes with buying something or writing a review for a purchase. At times, it can also refer to any additional work that is out of the scope of an employee's role that they don't frigging want to do.

Usage: E.g. 開po出文幫手宣傳,真係會有extra野送 (If you post an article to help advertise a product, there will really be extra things rewarded.) E.g. 外賣仔的工作係餐廳出貨後送貨去你屋企無責任做extra野 (The job of a delivery person is to deliver food to your home after the restaurant prepares it, and they have no responsibility to do anything extra.)

Synonym: 額外

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3951705/page/1

fail

Definition: Often transliterated and pronounced as the loan phrase '肥佬' meaning 'fat guy', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe getting an unsuccessful result when doing something. Sometimes, it can be shortened to '肥' (fat) as a verb.

Usage: E.g. 哎呀!今次考試肥左佬! E.g. 唔係掛?考咁多次都肥?!

Synonym: 肥佬

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/16296/

Apple care

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers who rely on Apple company completely for their phone warranty service.

Usage: E.g. Q: 點解你個IPhone唔用case? A: 因為我有Apple care. Apple幫我care. 我唔洗care. I don’t care! (Q: Why don't you have a case for your IPhone? A: Because I have Apple Care. Apple helps me take care of my phone, which means I don't need to care. I don't care!)

Synonym: 蘋果保養

Reference: https://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=30600166

outlook

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often misused by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong to mean 'outfit'.

Usage: E.g. BB豬,我今日個outlook係咪好靚呀?

Synonym: 外表

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/128449/你是否-偽abc-chill-中文意思係咩-10個港人常用錯英文字

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

deserve

Definition: Known as 'JM tone', this is a code-mixing word that Hong Kong celebrity Janice Man use to refer to reserving someone, even though it is criticised as Fake ABC English due to a most likely wrong word usage.

Usage: E.g. 上天會deserve一個好好嘅人等緊我。(意思:reserve)

Reference: https://inews.hket.com/article/1522091/Janice%20Man英文教室%20%20教你練成JM%20Tone

eat bowl face turn bowl down

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to betraying someone after receiving some offer or advantage from them. (食碗面反碗底)

Usage: E.g. I gave you so many benefits and you eat bowl face turn bowl down?!!

Synonym: 食碗面反碗底

Reference: https://www.scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/486w/public/images/methode/2016/01/21/c10168a8-bff3-11e5-9503-d84cbca18933_486x.jpg?itok=sF-XAnJn

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