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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 852 results

bro

Definition: A code-mixing term that real ABC's like to use to show how easygoing they can be.

Usage: E.g. Hey bro!不如一齊食飯啦? E.g. Hey bro!放工一齊打波呀?

Synonym: 兄弟

tea

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong people love to use to refer to afternoon tea '下午茶'.

Usage: E.g. 今日有冇時間食個tea呀? E.g. 週末不如一齊去high tea好嗎?

Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf

db

Definition: A code-mixing word that working class Hong Kongers love to use to refer to '資料庫' in the IT sector. Also see 'database'.

Usage: E.g. 連得到個db未? 定係connect唔到呢?

Synonym: 資料庫

pool

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to getting out of the singles' pool so that you are finally dating someone!

Usage: E.g. 我平時咁宅,估唔到有一日會出pool。

chi ma gun

Definition: Known as Kongish and a much stronger version of 'chi sin' (痴線), this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers describe someone who is crazy, or a situation that is outrageous or unbelievable. (黐孖筋 - ci1 maa1 gan1) Literal meaning: To have your twin wires sticking together, causing short circuit in the brain.

Usage: E.g. Why did you scold me?! Are you chi ma gun??!! E.g. Chi ma gun! Don't dare to drive after drinking alchohol again!!

Synonym: 黐孖筋

Return water (wui shui)

Definition: To get a refund for something due to dissatisfaction.

Usage: The service was so bad, that's why I wanted to wui shui.

Synonym: 回水

Ga yau

Definition: Derived from 'add oil' in Cantonese, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that local Hong Kongers use to express encouragement and support for another person.

Usage: Ga yau! You can win this game!

Synonym: 加油

depends

Definition: A way to sound more certain and less hesitant when your friend/boyfriend/girlfriend is asking you whether you want to do something with him or her.

Usage: E.g. 朋友: 聽日去唔去睇戲呀? 你: Depends啦。 E.g. 女朋友: 係咪聽日去shopping呀? 你: Depends啦。 E.g. 女朋友: 係咪聽日去shopping呀? 你: 睇下點啦。 *啪!*

Synonym: 睇下點

explode rock

Definition: Known as Kongish and sometimes used as 'to go rock blasting', this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to going for a wee. (爆石)

Usage: E.g. Please wait a moment. I need to go rock blasting!

Synonym: 爆石

pass

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers like to use instead of '通過'.  Sometimes, it is pronounced as 'pass-si'.

Usage: E.g. 今次考試pa唔pass呀? E.g. 我今次pass-si呀!仲好高分添!

Synonym: 通過

Reference: https://www.studocu.com/hk/document/city-university-of-hong-kong/world-englishes/lecture-3-city-university-of-hong-kongen5714-world-englishes-and-the-social-context-of/20063922

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