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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 613 results

milestone

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to an important stage or event in the development of something. (里程碑) Usage: E.g. 我地公司今年reach到個milestone!Let\'s celebrate!Synonym: 里程碑Reference: https://www.story001.com/post-196.html

team work

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong celebrity tutors to refer to a collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal. Usage: E.g. 狀元培育向來都是team work. (Nurturing top scorers has always been team work.)Synonym: 團體合作Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRGmhTQjT1N/?igsh=NWtoNHZ6OGRyOW8x

function

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to refer to a social event. Usage: E.g. 最近公司有咩function要搞?Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

gau m daap baat

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that local Hong Kongers use to refer to someone who is off-topic or providing irrelevant answers. Usage: E.g. Lei dou gau m daap baat! Can you answer my question?!Synonym: 九唔搭八Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/tag/kongish/

ending

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to the ending of a matter, story, or event. Usage: E.g. Ending係點,我地自己決定架。(來至電影"明日戰記")

rat race

Definition: Derived from the Chinese term '內卷' and often translated as 'involution', this is an Englishised code-mixing term that describes an economic situation where excessive competition does not lead to development and innovation. This may lead to people feeling stressed, anxious, and trapped, as the two characters mean 'inside rolling'. Usage: E.g. I'm stuck in the rat race! I'm so tired of competing with everyone just to climb the career ladder!Synonym: 內卷Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjTg1G8rpVc

snake king

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to slacking off at work. Usage: E.g. Don't be such a snake king all the time! Get some work done!Synonym: 蛇王

miss

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that local student Hong Kongers use to address a female teacher. Sometimes, it is pronounced as 'missy'. Usage: E.g. Miss,請問呢條問題點答?

user

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to the Cantonese equivalent '使用者'. Usage: E.g. 同完個user傾好要咩feature未呀? E.g. 喺user既角度,呢個係一個bug。

count down

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to counting down on New Year’s Eve because they were never familiar with anything related to ‘數' since they never attended local schools that taught difficult Math in Chinese. Usage: E.g. New Year’s Eve嗰日你會去邊到count down? (Where will you go for count down on New Year's Eve?)Synonym: 倒數Reference: https://www.esquirehk.com/lifestyle/east-hong-kong-sugar-anime-skyline-countdown-to-2026-party