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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 910 results

hit

Definition: Pronounced as 'heet' (long vowel), this is a code-mixing term that refers to something being very successful or popular.

Usage: E.g. 呢套戲好hit呀。快D睇啦。 E.g. 呢首歌又好似hit返喇喎。

long time no see

Definition: Pronounced as 'long tie lo see', this is a code-mixing term used by grassroots class Hong Kongers for greeting someone they have not seen for a long time.

Usage: E.g. 喂!Long tie lo see!

Reference: https://www.esquirehk.com/mens-talk/simon-shen-hong-kong-english-chinese

tap C

Definition: Often mistaken as mispronunciation, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to the USB Type-C connector or port that is used by a variety of peripheral devices, such as PC's, laptops, mobile devices, mice, etc.

Usage: E.g. 事關上面Type C 的Tape 音。所以有點疑惑: Type-C 是一個term, 所以讀法唔同?(Regarding the above link's Tape pronunciation of Type C, I have the following question: If Type-C is a term, does it pronounce differently?)

Synonym: Type C

Reference: https://m.review33.com/forum_msg.php?db=3&tstart=0&s=&topic=85220221230810&number=6&sort=1

challenge

Definition: An alternative way of referring to someone who's getting on your nerves, as the equivalent term '挑戰' in Cantonese sounds too much like a real duel or battle and hence too provocative to use.

Usage: E.g. 老闆:夠喇。你唔好係到挑戰我。你:我幾時有挑戰過你呀?! E.g. 老闆:夠喇。你唔好係到challenge我。你:*silence*

Synonym: 挑戰

520

Definition: Originated from Mandarin meaning 'I love you', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to '唔要你' in Cantonese, which means "Don't want you" in English.

Usage: E.g. A: 今日係520喔!點解您孤伶伶一個人呢?B: 哈哈哈哈哈,你個問題咁得意架咩?(A: Today is May 20th! Why are you so lonely? B: Hahahaha, why is your question so interesting?)

Synonym: 唔要你

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1pTDlz4Vns

approach

Definition: A code-mixing term that overseas educated Hong Kongers use to refer the way in which a person can start a conversation with someone, especially for the purpose of drawing nearer to them in relationship or distance.

Usage: E.g. 到底可以點approach男仔? (How on earth can I approach boys?)

Synonym: 靠近

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/546513/page/13

training

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong companies like to use to refer to sessions they provide for employees to equip them with skills, which may or may not be full of actions such as teaching, instructing and nurturing as the -ing term suggests.

Usage: E.g. 吓?你講完一兩句野就當係training?!(What? You just gave a short talk and called this 'training'?!)

Synonym: 訓練, 培訓

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/700190/page/9

people mountain people sea

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to emphasize how crowded and jam-packed a place is.

Usage: E.g. 同事:今日搭車返工多唔多人呀? 你:多呀,可以話係people mountain people sea呀。 E.g. 你:哇,人山人海呀!朋友:簡直係people mountain people sea啦!

chemistry

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to the attraction between two people.

Usage: E.g. A:你話佢地兩個有冇chemistry呢?B:你係指work定係sexual chemistry呢?LOL。

preference

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to express a choice in something without stating their favour or to avoid sounding picky.

Usage: E.g. 我今晚既preference係食西餐,但係又唔代表我成日都鍾意。(My preference is western cuisine tonight, but that doesn't mean I like it all the time.)

Synonym: 偏愛; 偏好; 優先選擇

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3316788/page/27

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