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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 946 results

hai

Definition: A romanised code-mixing term that foreignised Hong Kongers use when they want to say ‘yes’ to someone.

Usage: Hong Konger: Are you a gweilo? Foreigner: Hai.

Synonym: 係

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know

enough ginger

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to having enough guts to do something. (夠薑)

Usage: E.g. If you have enough ginger, then fight me!

Synonym: 夠薑

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

zhen garn

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing term that is derived from '陣間', which means a while later.

Usage: E.g. Zhen garn lunch go ng go sing K?

Synonym: 陣間

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/283411/大學生打字用火星文-10句港式英文拼音大挑戰-測試你識幾多

take

Definition: Made popular by an anti-drug advertisement featuring Hong Kong celebrity Aaron Kwok, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use with the Cantonese word '嘢', which means 'take drugs' altogether, even though 'take嘢' literally means 'take thing'.

Usage: E.g. 保安局禁毒宣傳品出現「公關災難」,令「一齊企硬 唔take嘢」標語,在柱面上呈現「齊企硬 Take嘢」。There was a "PR disaster" in the Security Bureau's anti-drug promotional materials, which caused the slogan "Stand firm together, don't take any drugs" to be presented as ""Stand firm together and Take Drugs".

Synonym: take嘢, take drugs

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWGb-PriJLK/?igsh=b3Vwa2xmNHFuZ2Qz (use mobile version)

bitchuation

Definition: Originated from 'bitch' and 'situation', this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a situation where a person's patience runs out and starts being bitchy.

Usage: E.g. 意思:喺無可奈何既情況下,只能做個bitch。(Meaning: In a situation where one feels helpless, the only way out is to be a bitch.)

Synonym: 逼人太甚的處境

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdED72bCcze/?img_index=1&stkn=MjRibnk3MnBmYjFl (use mobile version)

pizza

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to the all sorts of thicknesses of bread served with toppings because they have eaten at Pizza Hut too many times and don't believe that pizza is merely '薄餅', which translates to thin bread in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. A: 想唔想食pizza? B: 好呀,不過我要食厚嗰隻芝心批喎。(A: Want to eat pizza? B: Sure, but I want to eat the thick kind of pizza with stuffed crust.)

Synonym: 薄餅

Reference: https://ufood.com.hk/restaurant/news/detail/20044615/全港10大Pizza推介-正宗意式口味-外脆內軟-邪惡拉芝/5

Key

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used with “啱key”, which refers to whether you get along well with somebody. Explanation: like the key in a piece of music.

Usage: Eg. 你同你朋友啱唔啱key呀?

Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/啱key

airport

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers when they want to describe a girl with flat chest but don't want to get slapped.

Usage: E.g. A: Do you like this girl? B: No, I think she is an airport!

Synonym: 飛機場

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSZDmyBASgl/?igsh=MXVsbzJhZTFoYnRudw== (use mobile version)

sensible

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to acting or speaking appropriately rather than being logical in the technical sense. Also, it usually implies having a good level of spiritual maturity in addition to basic common sense so that one does not say or do stupid things that is disrespectful to others.

Usage: E.g. 睇完艾力訪問姜濤,講嘢都好sensible,其實佢個人真係唔差,心地善良 (After watching Eric's interview with Keung To, I thought his words were very sensible. In fact, Keung To is not really that bad of a person, but is kind-hearted.)

Synonym: 理智

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@aa11yy__/post/DQ64WkTEwpw?xmt=AQG0os4onkNngeDaBXXgpug3rEeIp7OiEA1gUR05-T_52H1LwEOo67WyTueAopajb2mrmGYm&slof=1

entertaining

Definition: A code-mixing term used by entertainment judges to describe a performance as enjoyable to watch without judging the entertainment value itself.

Usage: E.g. 一開始覺得啲vocal好似嗌緊交,但又好 Entertaining (At first it felt like the vocals were arguing, but was very entertaining at the same time.)

Synonym: 有娛樂性

Reference: https://www.nmplus.hk/entertainment/魔音女團-穎喬-陳潔靈-1637287/

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