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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 725 results

security

Definition: Pronounced as 'sik-q', this is a code-mixing term used to refer to the security staff of a building. Usage: E.g. 同我快D叫'食Q'黎!

cert

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term that refers to 'certificate'. Usage: E.g. 我終於考到張cert喇!

poisonous guy

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to someone who is extremely introverted and prefers being alone all the time. Usage: E.g. Get yourself out and meet some people! Stop being such a poisonous guy!Synonym: 毒男Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-quick-lesson-must-know-hong-kong-slang

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?

seafood ghost

Definition: Known as Kongish and transliterated from '屎忽‘ meaning buttocks, this is a code-mixing phrase used to describe someone who always doesn't do what he or she says will do, somewhat like a faggot or asshole in English. Usage: E.g. This guy is such a seafood ghost! We always save him a seat at the restaurant but he never turns up!Synonym: 屎忽鬼Reference: https://evchk.fandom.com/zh/wiki/%E5%B1%8E%E5%BF%BD%E9%AC%BC

unfair advantage

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to a unique or distinct competitive edge that a person or company has over others, which is often something that they were born with or started with. The phrase also tends to be more positive and optimistic than the Cantonese equivalent terms, even though some may think the opposite is true. Usage: E.g. 林作:個世界就係唔公平。你要做既,就係要用任何你身上有可能既unfair advantage。如果你唔識用你靚仔呢樣野,令人覺得你靚仔D,至少比你做intern,咁你就係傻仔。(Jo Lam: The world is unfair as we know it. What you need to do is to make use of any sort of unfair advantage that you intrinsically have. If you don't know how to make use of your advantage in having good looks or make others think you are better looking so that they would at least give you a job as an intern, then you are an idiot.)Synonym: 不公平的優勢; 不平等的優勢Reference: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2975035002684251

point

Definition: A more polite way to refer to a person's standpoint, as the Cantonese equivalent term '點', meaning a dot, can refer to a woman's breast. Usage: E.g. 男人:喂,我真係好唔明你個point喎!女人:唔緊要。我慢慢解釋比你聽。 E.g. 男人:喂,我真係好唔明你個點喎!女人:你話我邊點呀?唔好性騷擾喎!Reference: https://medium.com/@girlslearnenglish/你說話會中英夾雜嗎-被-污名化-的中英夾雜-why-code-mixing-is-totally-fine-32eb1f280ca

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?Synonym: 低BReference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

take two

Definition: Originated from a Hong Kong TV advertisement in the 90's, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a second chance, which is most known for warning someone that there is no second chance in life. Usage: E.g. 香港的公益廣告曾有一句廣告詞「生命無『Take two』」很深入人心,意思是說「生命沒有第二次機會,要珍惜生命」(Hong Kong's public service advertisements once had a well-known slogan "There is no 'Take two' in life", which means "there is no second chance in life, we must cherish life".)Synonym: 第二次機會Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1674492649207500800.html

goldfish man

Definition: Known as Kongish and originated from a story where a man used to lure children by promising to buy them goldfish, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to a paedophile. (金魚佬) Usage: E.g. Stop buying me chocolate and lure me like a goldish man!Synonym: 金魚佬Reference: https://www.scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/486w/public/images/methode/2016/01/21/c10168a8-bff3-11e5-9503-d84cbca18933_486x.jpg?itok=sF-XAnJn
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