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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 946 results

update

Definition: (adj.) Often pronounced as 'up-day', this is a code-mixing term used to describe someone or something as being very trendy or up-to-date. However, it is also sometimes used as a verb like in native English.

Usage: E.g. 你部手機好update喎。(adj.) E.g. Update左個software未呀?(verb)

Synonym: 潮; 更新

Reference: https://www.inmediahk.net/中英夾雜

dead air

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '冷場' (laang5 ceong4), which literally translates to 'cold scene'.

Usage: E.g. 考口試最緊要唔好dead air。

Synonym: 冷場

Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

dope

Definition: A code-mixing term used by the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department to describe something as very cool and awesome. However, the AI anti-drug video that used this word was taken down due to citizens suspecting that the video was promoting the illegal use of drugs rather than banning it.

Usage: E,g 可樂消暑易入口,幫你提神保持清醒腦筋。超dope!(Coke is refreshing, easy to drink, and helps perk you up and keep your mind sharp. Super dope!)

Synonym: 超正、超酷、超讚

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S19qZb17o2A

Key

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used with “啱key”, which refers to whether you get along well with somebody. Explanation: like the key in a piece of music.

Usage: Eg. 你同你朋友啱唔啱key呀?

Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/啱key

lounge

Definition: Often pronounced as 'launch', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a club lounge in a hotel.

Usage: E.g. 唔該,請問個lounge喺邊?我想搵個位坐吓先。

Synonym: 休息聽

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mz8kUbNcMw

dirty

Definition: Often used in a Jayden Mami parody, this is a code-mixing term used by a typical Hong Kong modern mother to refer to physical uncleanliness in a mildly negative way.

Usage: E.g. Jayden做咩趴喺條street度呀,個ground好dirty㗎,仲要比d dog踩上你個頭度,你再唔get up mami就angry㗎啦。(Jayden, why are you lying on the street? The ground is so dirty, and you're letting a dog step over you. If you don't get up, Mami will be angry.)

Synonym: 污糟

Reference: https://eastweek.stheadline.com/pets/18474/Jayden媽咪是誰社交網絡爆紅兼殺入毛孩界

ngo mm sik gong gwong dong wa

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by foreigners when they come across a local Hong Konger who thinks they know how to speak Cantonese. Literal meaning: I don't know how to speak Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. Foreigner: Mm goi sai! Dor jeh! Hong Konger: Wow, your Cantonese is so good! Foreigner: Ngo mm sik gong gwong dong wa.

Synonym: 我唔識講廣東話

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know

sync

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to whether people are on the same page of a situation or task.

Usage: E.g. 我覺得我地唔係好sync。可唔可以catch up一吓我地做既野?

Synonym: 同步

Reference: https://www.cw.com.tw/article/5114233

best friend

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a friend who gets along with you very well, even though it does not always mean it is someone who you can have a deep talk with, unlike '老best' in Cantonese meaning old best friend.

Usage: E.g. 我同我“Best Friend”玩咗好多年,但實際上我從來都無同過佢講我嘅心事,心入面仲會成日妒忌佢,成日當佢係我競爭對手,究竟咁樣仲叫唔叫best friend 呢.... (E.g. I played with my "Best Friend" for years, but in fact I have never shared what is in my heart with him, and would often be jealous of him and treat him as my competitor Is that still called a best friend?)

Synonym: 最好朋友

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/705900/page/1

New Year’s Eve

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers who really miss hearing the word Eve from Christmas Eve so much that they wished Christmas could prolong to the new year.

Usage: E.g. New Year’s Eve你會同朋友交換禮物嗎?B: 吓,唔係聖誕節先會交換禮物咩?!(Will you exchange gifts with friends on New Year's Eve? B: What? Don't people exchange gifts during Christmas instead?)

Synonym: 除夕

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/知性女生/60307715/除夕倒數2026-10大倒數好去處-迪士尼煙花-西九音樂會-倒數派對

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