10 random words out of 613 results
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone being forgetful and careless, such as forgetting their keys or where they put their phone. (大頭蝦 - daai6 tau4 haa1)
Usage: E.g. A: You forgot to bring your wallet? Such a big head shrimp!Synonym: 大頭蝦Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-大頭蝦-big-head-prawn-language-hong-kong/
Definition: A code-mixing term that is used when you want to avoid describing someone as being '衰' or not nice.
Usage: E.g. 男仔：喂，我覺得你咁樣講野好衰呀。女朋友：你話我衰？！
E.g. 男仔：喂，我覺得你咁樣講野好mean呀。女朋友：講得岩。我有時講野係mean左D，不過唔至於係衰。
Definition: An alternative way of referring to someone who's getting on your nerves, as the equivalent term '挑戰' in Cantonese sounds too much like a real duel or battle and hence too provocative to use.
Usage: E.g. 老闆：夠喇。你唔好係到挑戰我。你:我幾時有挑戰過你呀？！
E.g. 老闆：夠喇。你唔好係到challenge我。你:*silence*
Definition: Often pronounced as 'fi-lo' with a rising tone on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that is more generic to be used for a number of different items in Cantonese.
Usage: E.g. 唔該copy呢個file比我。（電腦檔案）
E.g. 買多個file儲住D紀錄。（文件夾）
E.g. 警察：我哋會睇返呢單case既file。（檔案）Reference: https://aclanthology.org/O09-5003.pdf
Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers like to use to refer to a physical inspection of a site in order to discuss the scope of work with contractors and foresee any potential problems.
Usage: E.g. 進行project之前要做好site visit，以便理解好成個scope。Synonym: 實地考察
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: Usually placed at the start of a clause or sentence, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to replace the phrase '無論如何', meaning 'no matter what' in Cantonese.
Usage: E.g. 我知你好忙，但anyhow，你一定要幫我。
Definition: (adj) A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to describe something that is advanced in technology. There is a famous quote that goes "High Tech揩野，Low Tech撈野", which describes the volatility of high-tech products as opposed to low-tech products that have a larger market despite high competition.
Usage: E.g. 哇，張枱有自動升降好high tech呀。Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201902353/201902353_1.pdf
Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a job position that covers almost all the duties that an entire department has.
Usage: E.g. 我份工係one man band，所以都幾忙架。Reference: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/一腳踢
