10 random words out of 910 results
Definition: A versatile code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use in a variety of situations, depending on the context. However, the recently popular phrase of 'take嘢' can also be roughly translated into a number of different things and not only refer to taking drugs, as the Cantonese word '嘢' has a literal meaning of 'thing'.
Usage: E.g. 你諗住take邊科? (Which subject will you take?) E.g. 我要take個sick leave. (I will need to take a sick leave.) E.g. 上堂要記住take notes. (Remember to take notes during lesson.)
Synonym: 拿取, 攞, 拎
Definition: This is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to social class. However, it is often pronounced as 'car' or 'car屎' by grassroot class Hong Kongers.
Usage: E.g. 喂呢間餐廳好high car屎喎。 E.g. 今日洗唔洗著到咁high car屎呀? E.g. 唔好成日扮到咁high car啦。中左六合彩咩?
Synonym: 階層
Definition: An ultra professional code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers especially senior managers to refer to a suitable candidate that can take over an employee's job so they don't have to sound like they are getting just anyone to take over a job for the sake of cutting costs.
Usage: E.g. 之前公司有條友非高層secondment。每個月畀agent 160k 新老細嚟咗即刻炒佢。Replacement 可能一半價錢到 (I had a colleague in my past company who was not a senior level secondment position but paid the agency 160k per month. Then a new boss came and fired him immediately. The replacement could have been half the cost.)
Synonym: 搵人接替
Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2955436/page/2
Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to emphasize the reality of a situation, as even lovers have a working relationship sometimes. In other cases such as a workplace, it is simply to match the working atmosphere.
Usage: E.g. 你:我地之間唔係好work呀,你明唔明呀?男/女朋友:明白。(你:我地之間唔係好得呀,你明唔明呀?男/女朋友:你講緊邊方面唔得呀?!) E.g. 你:個program唔work呀。老細:哦。(你:個program唔得呀。老細:又唔得!)
Definition: Sometimes used with a negation particle such as '唔' meaning 'not' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe something as not very kind and pleasant in a less direct and personal way, even though the word is usually used to describe a person.
Usage: E.g. 你講得岩。香港揸車唔係咁friendly。(You are right. Driving in Hong Kong isn't very friendly.)
Synonym: 友善
Definition: A code-mixing term that is used when you really care not to offend someone.
Usage: E.g. Frankly speaking呢,我覺得你唔夠quali囉。 E.g. Frankly speaking呢,我對你既印象麻麻地囉。 E.g. Frankly speaking呢,我覺得你好扮野囉。
Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to express worry about something.
Usage: E.g. 最近公司既野收入令到我好concern。
Reference: https://www.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/職場英語-盤點辦公室改不掉的中英夾雜-double-comfirm是錯的/1301-25515
Definition: A generic code-mixing term used for a number of Chinese words meaning 'case', in order to maximise communicative efficiency.
Usage: E.g. 喂,阿John。同我follow下個case得嗎?(個案) E.g. 今次呢單case好似唔簡單。(案件) E.g. 呢個病人個case睇嚴重D喎。(病情) E.g. 我明白你個case。(情況)
Synonym: 個案; 案件
Definition: (idiom) Derived from '雞同鴨講', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe two people who are unable to understand each other due to a difference of language or values. In other words, the conversation just seems to go round and round with each person talking over each other.
Usage: E.g. I think we will never understand each other because we work in different departments. What a chicken and duck talk!
Synonym: 雞同鴨講
Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-word-of-the-month-雞同鴨講-chicken-duck-talk/
Definition: A code-mixing phrase that working class Hong Kongers often use as a response to something they don't know an answer to.
Usage: E.g. Q: 返工最撚憎聽到咩口頭蟬?A: No Comment 唔係開會/回覆其他部門啲 email. 係同 team 同事有嘢唔識走嚟問你意見,答乜撚嘢 No Comment (Q: What is a catchphrase that you hate hearing the most at work? A: "No comment". But not when it is used in meetings or replying other department's email. It is when a colleague in your team doesn't know something and asks for your opinion, you reply with "No comment". XDXDXD)
Synonym: 冇意見
Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2692508/page/3