Define Your Term | Login
What is code-mixing? | Mission | About | Learn More | Lecture Slides
English | Chinese

Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 613 results

jam

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers like to use to refer to paper being stuck in a printer. Usage: E.g. 個printer又jam紙?唔係掛?Synonym: 卡住紙Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ

in

Definition: (adj.) A code-mixing term used to describe someone or something as being very trendy. Usage: E.g. 哇,你今日著得好IN呀。 E.g. 聽返D流行音樂,咁先夠IN架嘛。 E.g. 做後生仔要夠IN先得架嘛。Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk

Ding Ding

Definition: Originated from the warning sounds of the bells when a tram is driving in Hong Kong, this is an Englishised code-mixing term which refers to the tram that can be taken in the Hong Kong Tramways on Hong Kong Island. Usage: Let's take a tour of Hong Kong Island by taking the Ding Ding!Synonym: 叮叮, 電車Reference: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/explore/attractions/hong-kong-tramways.html

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/

Robert

Definition: Often used as an idiom, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a stupid person. (For female version, see 'Lulu') Usage: E.g. 唔好當我係Robert喎! (Stop treating me like a stupid person!)

jetso

Definition: This is an Englishised term of the Cantonese words '著數', which refers to advantages that one can offer. Usage: E.g. 如果我幫你,你會比我D咩jetso先?Synonym: 著數Reference: https://www.scmp.com/magazines/hk-magazine/article/2038083/what-exactly-jetso

bamboo stick

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a person who is a yellow-skinned Asian but speaks English very well. I.e. Yellow on the outside but white on the inside like a bamboo stick. (竹升) Usage: E.g. Please don’t treat me like a bamboo stick! (竹升) I know how to speak Chinese!Synonym: 竹升

shopping

Definition: A more neutral-sounding term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to '購物' or '買野', which signify the commitment to buying things. Usage: E.g. 女朋友:我地聽日去商場啦。男朋友:吓?又買野?!女朋友:唔係呀。去shopping咋嘛。 E.g. 女朋友:我地聽日去shopping啦。男朋友:又買野?!女朋友:去window shopping咋嘛。Reference: https://www.academia.edu/1177618/Cantonese_English_code_switching_research_in_Hong_Kong_A_survey_of_recent_research

casual

Definition: 1. (noun) A word used instead of the Cantonese equivalent to denote the meaning of casual wear. 2. (verb) A word used to tell another person to be casual, informal, and relaxed. 3. (adj.) A word used to describe something as being informal, such as an event. Usage: E.g. 同事: 聽日著casual得喇,知道嗎? E.g. 今日食飯casual D得喇。(隨便) E.g. 我聽日要去個casual既聚會。(非正式)Reference: https://www.esquirehk.com/mens-talk/simon-shen-hong-kong-english-chinese

trip

Definition: A Hong Kong style business trip where one tries to enjoy himself like going on a vacation, in addition to visiting a client for work purposes. Usage: E.g. 老闆:下個星期你要幫我出trip見個客,知道嗎? 你:好呀! E.g. 唔知今次出trip好唔好玩呢?Reference: https://www.esquirehk.com/mens-talk/simon-shen-hong-kong-english-chinese