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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 946 results

file

Definition: Often pronounced as 'fi-lo' with a rising tone on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that is more generic to be used for a number of different items in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 唔該copy呢個file比我。(電腦檔案) E.g. 買多個file儲住D紀錄。(文件夾) E.g. 警察:我哋會睇返呢單case既file。(檔案)

Synonym: 文件夾; 檔案

Reference: https://aclanthology.org/O09-5003.pdf

gossip

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers which is a more generic and less vivid way of calling someone who is too preoccupied with talking about other people’s lives.

Usage: E.g. 唔好成日掛住gossip,專注啲做野啦!(Stop gossipping all the time and focus on your work!)

Synonym: 諸事八卦, 閒言閒語, 講是非

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2683169/page/1

building covenant

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by Hong Kong Legislative Council members to refer to a lease condition where the lot owner is required to complete the development within a specified period and obtain an Occupation Permit from the Building Authority. However, it is not to be confused with 'environmental permit'.

Usage: E.g. 劉文君發言後,林筱魯再提醒發言表達專業用語時要考慮公眾能否理解。劉文君說:「頭先官員都有用building covenant㗎!enviromental permit我唔知你哋中文叫做咩嘢。」(After Lau's speech, Lin reminded him to consider whether the public would understand such professional terminology. Lau said, "The officials used building covenant just now! I don't know what you meant by 'environmental permit' in Chinese.")

Synonym: 建築規約

Reference: https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/news/20260211/bkn-20260211164003550-0211_00822_001.html

idea

Definition: A code-mixing term that is more generic and appropriate to use in a number of different situations.

Usage: E.g. 我覺得你個idea好好呀!(主意) E.g. 你唔係一D idea都冇呀?(想法) E.g. 呢隻遊戲既idea算唔錯。(概念) E.g. 你提出既idea同我好唔同。(觀點) E.g. 廣告既idea就係要人買野。(目的)

Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

set

Definition: Used to refer to setting things up in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 伙記:等我set好張枱先再叫你入黎啦。 客人:好呀。 E.g. 個server set up左未呀?

insight

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers when they want to ask for a deeper analytical understanding of something.

Usage: E.g. 你睇完本書有咩insight? (What insights do you have after reading the book?)

Synonym: 見解; 睇法

Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/202301935/202301935_1.pdf

on call

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that is used by Hong Kongers to mean that they are ready to go to work whenever they get a call from their company.

Usage: E.g. 我每星期工作五天。不過我假日都要on call。

jeng

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used to describe something that is very good or awesome.

Usage: E.g. The food is so jeng! (正) E.g. The movie was ho jeng ah! (好正呀)

Synonym: 正

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%20alternative%20to%20“hou%20ging,jeng”%20if%20something%20is%20awesome.

dan so

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term that refers to 'dancing society'.

Usage: E.g. 同學:你參加左咩so呀?你:dan so囉。內地學生:什麼?你:唔好意思。係dancing society呀。

Synonym: 跳舞學會

9upper

Definition: (vulgar) Originated from '狗噏' meaning 'dog uttering', this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to someone who likes bragging and talking non-sense.

Usage: E.g. 公司有個同事(非ac dept.) 我稱之佢為9upper。每當我同人講嘢 佢就會喺隔離叻唔切 (I have a colleague in the company (non-ac dept.) who I call 9upper. Whenever I talk to someone, he gets in the way and acts like he is so smart.)

Synonym: 喜愛狗噏之人

Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/BApbMHlIfq/

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