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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 946 results

AA

Definition: Often used as 'AA制' (policy), this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to paying for yourself at a meal. (Also known as 'going Dutch' in English)

Usage: E.g. 今餐AA制得唔得呀?

Synonym: 食自己, 自己比

thinking

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to cover a range of criteria in an exam such as a person's thought or perspective, process of thinking, mental attitude, reasoning path, etc. Sometimes, it may be a term short for critical thinking.

Usage: E.g. 考作文好睇你個thinking。(A writing exam really tests your thinking.)

Synonym: 諗法; 思路; 思考; 思想; 思維

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2517481/page/2

fly an airplane

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who fails to show up in an event. Also, used as 'to fly somebody an airplane'.

Usage: E.g. We all agreed to go shopping this weekend. Please don't fly airplane! (放飛機) E.g. I know you are busy, but don't fly me an airplane again! (放我飛機)

Synonym: 放飛機

去Ball

Definition: Ball是指舞會,通常在酒店或大酒樓舉行既宴會,禮貌上是要盛裝出席,我們畢業禮上的prom也可以叫Ball,傳統上同學都會穿著tuxedo或禮服以示尊重。隨時代變遷,宴會的內容簡單化了,穿著隨便些也不是大問題,反正現在的人都轉投去了移民講座,重Ball乜鬼?(Ball refers to dance party, held in a hotel or large restaurant banquet, which we politely attend dressed. A graduation prom can be called Ball, and students wear tuxedo or dress to show respect. As times change, the banquet has simplified, and dressing casually is not a big problem. Anyway, people nowadays have switched to immigration lectures, why go to a ball?)

Usage: 我今晚去Ball, 下午去Révére set頭。(I'm going to a ball tonight, so I'm going to Révére this afternoon to get my hair styled.)

Synonym: 說晚會嫌煩,直接說去Ball好了。(I just don't bother saying 'night party', so it's better to say 'ball'.)

Wa

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used as an interjection to express surprise, which is equivalent to ‘wow’ in English.

Usage: E.g. Wa! People mountain people see! (So many f***ing people)

Synonym: 哇

mean

Definition: A code-mixing term that is used when you want to avoid describing someone as being '衰' or not nice.

Usage: E.g. 男仔:喂,我覺得你咁樣講野好衰呀。女朋友:你話我衰?! E.g. 男仔:喂,我覺得你咁樣講野好mean呀。女朋友:講得岩。我有時講野係mean左D,不過唔至於係衰。

encore

Definition: Pronounced as 'N-call', this is a code-mixing term used to get the performer to sing one more time at the end of a concert.

Usage: E.g.今次演唱會唔知會ENCORE幾多次呢? E.g. Encore!!!我今次要encore到爆為止!

Synonym: 唱多一次

wish

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers who believe that making wishes should be done with eyes closed and not involve any '望', which has a literal meaning of gaze or look.

Usage: E.g. 新一年你有咩wish呀?快啲make a wish啦!(What is your wish for the new year? Make a wish quickly!)

Synonym: 願望

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3584700/page/1

document

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used to refer to a computer document (文件).

Usage: E.g. 唔該你send份document過黎呀。記住要pdf喎。

Synonym: 文件

Reference: https://www.esquirehk.com/mens-talk/simon-shen-hong-kong-english-chinese

server

Definition: Pronounced as 'serfaah', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a computer server in IT.

Usage: E.g. 個server整好未呀?冇理由down左咁耐架?

Synonym: 服務器

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