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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 725 results

sauce

Definition: A code-mixing term that westernised Hong Kongers love to use to refer to anything that looks like a sauce. Usage: E.g. 半唐番: 可唔可以比啲sauce我? 香港人: 唔係sauce黎架,係醋!(ABC: Can you pass me the sauce? Hong Konger: It's not sauce. It's vinegar!) E.g. 半唐番: 可唔可以比啲sauce我? 香港人: 唔係sauce黎架,係豉油!(ABC: Can you pass me the sauce? Hong Konger: It's not sauce. It's see-yau!)Synonym: 醬Reference: https://auntieemily.com/soy-sauce-chow-mein/

figure out

Definition: This is a code-mixing phrase that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '諗到' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 我暫時仲未figure out到點樣solve個problem。Reference: https://english.cool/code-switching/

proud of

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers when they want to show how pleased they are towards someone’s achievements, but want to sound less show-off or exaggerated about their feeling. Usage: E.g. 你考試咁高分,我好proud of你呀。(You scored so high in the exam. I am so proud of you.)Synonym: 驕傲,自豪Reference: https://www.threads.com/@grace_interest_english/post/DDthgzMyHsU

sayunana

Definition: Originated from ‘sayonara’, this is a code-mixing term used by grassroots Hong Kongers who like to show off their limited Japanese language knowledge when they play with kids who are into Japanese anime. Usage: E.g. 下次再同你玩過。Sayunana!Synonym: sayonara, 拜拜Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3743607/page/1

trip

Definition: A Hong Kong style business trip where one tries to enjoy himself like going on a vacation, in addition to visiting a client for work purposes. Usage: E.g. 老闆:下個星期你要幫我出trip見個客,知道嗎? 你:好呀! E.g. 唔知今次出trip好唔好玩呢?Reference: https://www.esquirehk.com/mens-talk/simon-shen-hong-kong-english-chinese

communication gap

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to illustrate the distance between two parties in terms of their communication, which is often due to their difference in job positions or departments in a company. Sometimes, it may be caused by forgeting to say "double confirm", which is a common phrase used by Hong Kongers at workplace to really make sure that certain information is correct. Usage: E.g. 其實呢啲communication gap 大家可以做好D減少誤會,寫多兩句confirm is better。(As for these communication gaps, it is better for us all to try and minimise misunderstandings by saying 'confirm' more.)Synonym: 溝通差距Reference: https://www.threads.com/@purpzc/post/C-l0fNJyiZM?hl=en

Kong girl

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to a Hong Kong girl with negative characteristics such as being materialistic, demanding, narcissistic, and suffering from 'princess sickness', and so on. The list of negative things can probably go on and on so it is better for the person reading this to search the internet themselves. Usage: E.g. I am sick of my girlfriend! She is a Kong girl! E.g. Can you stop being a Kong girl for a day? I need some freedom. E.g. Kong girl: Will you buy me an LV handbag?Synonym: 港女Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/7-signs-to-tell-if-youre-a-real-kong-girl

share

Definition: An overused code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to sharing something. Usage: E.g. 快D po你D相上網同大家share吓啦。 E.g. 去完旅行買左D咩好野同大家share吓啦。 E.g. 今日開會有咩想同大家share吓呢?Synonym: 分享

whatever

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers when they want to express their dissatisfaction towards someone or something when they are running out of patience. Also, a 'la' particle is usually added to the end of it to emphasize the casual tone. Usage: E.g. A:個客講左D咩? B:咪話過要呢樣又嗰樣囉,總之whatever啦。(A: What did the client say? B: Said they wanted this and that, just... whatever la.) E.g. A:今餐想食D咩? B:Whatever啦。(A: What do you want to eat for this meal? B: Whatever la.)Synonym: 咩都好啦Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1505250505201422336.html

uncle

Definition: A polite way of addressing a stranger, usually a much older person, when you meet them for the first time. Usage: E.g. 哈佬Uncle,nice to meet you! E.g. 阿女,快D叫聲uncle啦。Reference: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3048345/hong-kong-comes-alive-learning-cantonese-make-sure-you-know
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