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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 681 results

as long as

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by working class Hong Kongers to emphasize the duration of time that an event is happening which is probably not coming to an end so soon. Usage: E.g. 總之as long as我係你個上司,你就要聽我講既野。(In short, as long as I am your superior, you have to listen to what I say.)Synonym: 只要Reference: https://www.facebook.com/100094319732462/posts/簡單總結返尋日live-1-租務改革令租客更難租樓難言對經濟整體有正面影響2-對於hong-kong-scouser嘅campaign-我哋認為同我地bno平權/689410454212940/

high tech

Definition: (adj) A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to describe something that is advanced in technology.  There is a famous quote that goes "High Tech揩野,Low Tech撈野", which describes the volatility of high-tech products as opposed to low-tech products that have a larger market despite high competition. Usage: E.g. 哇,張枱有自動升降好high tech呀。Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201902353/201902353_1.pdf

small potato

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers who want to sound humble yet not so insignificant when they are being asked what position they work in a company. Usage: E.g. A: 哇!你間公司好出名喎。 B: 係呀,不過我只係small potato。(A: Wow! Your company is very famous. B: Yes, but I am just a small potato.)Synonym: 小角色Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/4063839/page/1

yo!

Definition: A code-mixing term that the Hong Kong actor Dicky Cheung (張衛健) loves to use in the "Journey of the West" Cantonese TV episode, in order to display the almighty character of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. Usage: E.g. Yo!打妖精咋麻,洗乜驚呀?!Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtl4WF0RwWI&t=224s

promotion

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong salesman love to use as a strategy to advertise their products without sounding like they're doing it for the sake of spreading the word or selling their product. Usage: E.g. 我地公司兒家做緊promotion。你唔買就走寶喇喂。(Our company is now doing promotion. If you don't buy, you'll miss out.)Synonym: 宣傳,推廣Reference: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340689372_Code-Mixing_as_a_Promotion_Strategy_in_Shopping_Centres

frankly speaking

Definition: A code-mixing term that is used when you really care not to offend someone. Usage: E.g. Frankly speaking呢,我覺得你唔夠quali囉。 E.g. Frankly speaking呢,我對你既印象麻麻地囉。 E.g. Frankly speaking呢,我覺得你好扮野囉。

Sor

Definition: Often added with a ‘lor’ (囉) denoting a tone of reluctance, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to say sorry or apologize to someone. Usage: E.g. A: 喂,你踩到我隻腳喎!B:SOR囉。(A: Hey, you stepped on my foot! B: SOR LOR.)Synonym: 對唔住,sorryReference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DScomA6EVMW/?img_index=1&igsh=MWNwaWNrd2tkM3JtYg== (use mobile version)

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

AA

Definition: Often used as 'AA制' (policy), this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to paying for yourself at a meal. (Also known as 'going Dutch' in English) Usage: E.g. 今餐AA制得唔得呀?Synonym: 食自己, 自己比

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。