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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary
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10 random words out of 613 results

chicken out

Definition: A code-mixing term used by real ABC Hong Kongers to refer to someone deciding not to do something because they are too frightened. Usage: E.g. 我地講吓飲啤酒咋喎。你唔係咁快就chicken out嘛？Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1368997059457323008.html
2024-04-27

spin

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term that refers to describing a matter as something else, especially in politics. Usage: E.g. 鍾培生：阿林作好鍾意將件事spin到同政治有關。
2023-03-02

on9

Definition: (vulgar, textspeak) A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who's idiotic and stupid. It originated from the Cantonese words '憨鳩' because the '鳩' (penis) has a similar pronunciation as the number 9 in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. Why did you piss on me? Are you on9? (憨鳩) E.g. Don't be so on99 and watch where you're going! (憨鳩鳩)Synonym: 憨鳩Reference: https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=28512
2024-05-08

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
2023-03-02

low b

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that Hong Kongers use to refer to having low intelligence or being stupid. Also used as '低B' sometimes. Usage: E.g. 唔好咁low b係到周圍大叫啦！ E.g. 低B仔，你係咪仲未get要做咩呀？Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html
2024-04-20

gay dor cheen

Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to ask a shopkeeper how much something costs, which is extremely effective when bargaining for a lower price at wet markets. It can also be shortened to 'gay cheen' (幾錢). Usage: E.g. Gay dor cheen? (幾多錢?) E.g. Gay cheen? (幾錢?)Synonym: 幾多錢?Reference: https://homekong.com.hk/blogs/read/helpful-cantonese-phrases-to-know
2024-07-01

hold gap see

Definition: With a literal meaning of 'very urgent faeces', this is an Englishised code-mixing phrase that is used by native Hong Kongers when one urgently needs to poop. He or she is just so desperate to go to the washroom that the sh*t may already be coming out of the a**hole. Usage: E.g. Hold gap see! Please excuse me for a minute!Synonym: 好急屎Reference: https://www.facebook.com/100063638007113/posts/1372326404898613/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
2025-10-21

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.
2024-04-22

eat banana

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to tell someone to eat sh*t or cock. (食蕉） Usage: E.g. Hahaha! You lose this game! Eat banana la!Synonym: 食蕉Reference: https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/16113/what-does-蕉-mean-in-cantonese
2024-04-22

cheque

Definition: (noun) The Hong Kong way of referring to '支票' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 可以開張cheque比我嗎？Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html
2024-04-20
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