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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 910 results

no need to ask Ah Gui

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to something that is so obvious that there is no need to ask anyone about it, especially after finding out the wrong of somebody. 'Ah Gui' is a name that originated from an infamous official (李世桂) in the Qing Dynasty.

Usage: E.g. It must be him who let out the secrets! No need to ask Ah Gui!

Synonym: 唔洗問阿貴

Reference: https://www.kamadelivery.com/blog/posts/香港10大俗語-地道文化背景大解構/

cancer

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers like to use to refer to a serious disease that kills normal cells and causes death.

Usage: E.g. A:唔好食咁多公仔麵,如果咪生cancer架。B:啋過你把口!

Synonym: 癌

Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ

9up

Definition: (textspeak) Derived from '狗噏' meaning 'dog uttering', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to talking non-sense, like bullsh*t. It is also often pronounced as '鳩噏' as a vulgar expression.

Usage: E.g. Stop 9up and bragging about your achievements all the time! (唔好成日喺到鳩噏車大炮啦!)

Synonym: 狗噏, 鳩噏

Reference: https://evchk.fandom.com/zh/wiki/9up

smash

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to hitting a ball towards the ground forcefully in tennis, which not only feels good when defeating someone with such a gesture, but also it sort of gives the person a feeling of breaking something into pieces.

Usage: E.g. 咁勁?!今次我要smash返你!(So powerful?! I'm going to smash you back!)

Synonym: 殺球

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3898753/page/7

pick up

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that a Jayden Mami loves to use to refer to a more casual way of learning something rather than the formal way of acquiring skills and information.

Usage: E.g. Jayden呀,有時間就去pick up English啦。你唔用既話會好快forget架。(Jayden, go and pick up English when you have time. If you don't use it, you will forget it.)

Synonym: 學識; 練習

Reference: https://hk.amazingtalker.com/questions/8407

take care

Definition: An a lot more gentle and caring way of telling someone to take care of themselves compared to the Cantonese equivalent. Explanation: 你自己照顧自己—>以後你自己搞掂喇—>你自己食自己—>慘慘豬(@V@)

Usage: E.g. 媽咪要去旅行喇。你自己take care喇。 E.g. 以後take care喇。Sayorara.

meeting

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use instead of saying '開會' or having a '會議'.

Usage: E.g. 我聽日九點鐘有個meeting。開完meeting再搵你呀?

Synonym: 會議

Reference: https://theinitium.com/roundtable/20170226-lifestyle-mix-chn-eng/

wok of congee

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a situation of utter chaos and mess.

Usage: E.g. Do enough planning beforehand or your project will end up in a wok of congee!

Synonym: 一鑊粥

vely good

Definition: Often pronounced as 'vely gud', this is a code-mixing expression that grassroots Hong Kongers like to use when they cannot think of any other way to complement or give praise to something.  'Vely' (very) can also be used with other words such as 'delicious', even though delicious already denotes the meaning of excellence in food quality.

Usage: E.g. 哇,今次做得好。Vely gud! E.g. 哇,D牛扒真係vely delicious呀!

carry

Definition: Purportedly to have come from online competitive gaming where a player brings his team to victory, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to helping and leading someone to achieve something. At times, it can also refer to being able to dress effectively which covers everything from head to toe, including hair.

Usage: E.g. 日系唔只著衫 要化埋妝同髮型同襯埋accessories 要full gear先會carry得到 (Japanese fashion isn't just about wearing clothes. You have to put on make-up, have a certain hairstyle as well as matching accessories. You must have full gear in order to carry this fashion.)

Synonym: 駕馭

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/475055/page/9

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