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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 613 results

sup sup sui

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to refer to an easy task, which is equivalent to 'piece of cake' in English. Usage: E.g. A: Thanks for helping me out! B: No problem! Sup sup sui la!Synonym: 濕濕碎Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-descriptive-slang-phrases

nice

Definition: A way to express how nice someone is on the surface. Usage: E.g. 佢個人好nice,但係識耐左先知道原來係虛偽。 E.g. 佢個人好nice,不過唔知個人好唔好呢?

mm goi

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by real ABC Hong Kongers to say 'please', 'excuse me' or 'thank you', depending on the situation. (唔該) Usage: E.g. Mm goi. (To call the waiter at a restaurant) E.g. Mm goi jeh jeh (Excuse me, please let me through) E.g. Mm goi sai! (Thank you very much!) E.g. Set A lunch, mm goi. (Set A lunch, please) E.g. Mm goi, where is the MTR? (May I ask where is the MTR?)Synonym: 唔該Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%2520alternative%2520to%2520%E2%80%9Chou%2520ging,jeng%E2%80%9D%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.

Return water (wui shui)

Definition: To get a refund for something due to dissatisfaction. Usage: The service was so bad, that's why I wanted to wui shui. Synonym: 回水

long gas

Definition: Known as Kongish and derived from '長氣', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a friend who is always so verbose and says the same thing over and over again, like a grandma. Usage: E.g. 喂,我頂你!唔好咁long gas得唔得呀?!(長氣)Synonym: 長氣Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/2630/

K lunch

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a meal set offered by a karaoke lounge bar or club. Usage: E.g. 今日去唔去食K lunch呀?一百蚊又可以唱又食,好鬼死抵。(Do you want to have K lunch today? Can sing and eat at the price of just $100, so frigging cheap.)Synonym: 卡啦OK午餐Reference: https://hk.ulifestyle.com.hk/activity/detail/20009510/唱k推介2024丨全港16大卡啦ok好去處-最平-36起-日文k都有-附地址-收費詳情

Out c

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to ‘out of syllabus’, which is used by local school students in Hong Kong. Usage: Past paper條題目out c左。

big head shrimp

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/

common sense

Definition: A term that seems to originate from the English culture and can hardly be replaced by the Cantonese equivalent term '常識'. Usage: E.g. 喂,你咁快就落搭,有冇common sense架? E.g. 一睇就知係搵笨啦,你有冇common sense架? E.g. 你好似有常識,不過冇common sense。Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk

nine not following eight

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that refers to giving irrelevant responses to questions. Usage: E.g. A:你去邊? B:我知道。A:Nine not following eight!Synonym: 九唔搭八Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-nine-not-following-eight/