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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 613 results

scan

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to the Cantonese equivalent '掃描'. Usage: E.g. 可以scan份document比我嗎? E.g. 喂,個scanner壞左呀。幾時搵人黎整呀?Reference: https://www.esquirehk.com/mens-talk/simon-shen-hong-kong-english-chinese

show me your love rice

Definition: Translated from the punning of ‘粟米肉粒飯’ (shuk mai yuk lup fan), this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to a rice dish with creamed corn and pork served in Hong Kong Cha Chaan Tang restaurants. Usage: E.g. Excuse me, may I have a ‘show me your love rice’?Synonym: 粟米肉粒飯Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/2019/11/12/kongish-a-new-language-of-hong-kongers/

firm

Definition: A shortened term of the word 'confirm' in English, used to maximise communicative efficiency and to get the listener to confirm ASAP. Usage: E.g. 下個月個party既日期firm左未呀? E.g. 你下次個appointment firm左未呀? E.g. Firm左未呀?快D啦。

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

eat lemon

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to being rejected. (食檸檬) Usage: E.g. This time eat lemon la,very chaam chaam pig.Synonym: 食檸檬Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/8-colloquialisms-unique-to-cantonese

plan

Definition: A more positive-sounding code-mixing term compared to the same item (計劃) in Cantonese.  Often pronounced as 'pan'. Usage: E.g. 做D咩都要plan定先得架麻。 E.g. 做D咩都要計劃好先得架麻。(you may sound like a schemer in this one! XD)Reference: https://aclanthology.org/O09-5003.pdf

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

put your horse to me

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to tell the other person to bring it on! (放馬過來) Usage: E.g. I am not afraid of playing against you. Put your horse to me!Synonym: 放馬過來Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

Never mind

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to tell someone not to worry about something anymore, even though it may not sound polite to English speakers. Usage: E.g. Never mind啦。我地下次再約。 E.g. Never mind啦。我自己搞得掂。

dead

Definition: (verb) This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a deadline for task. Usage: E.g. 同事:份report幾時dead呀? 上司:今日dead左喇!仲喺到問!Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/