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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 910 results

fun

Definition: Often used as a bilingual pun that rhymes with '分' meaning 'points' or 'share' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use in advertising to attract people to attend an event for the sake of having fun and earning points together.

Usage: E.g. 100FUN樂滿紛 |6週年齊FUN享 (100 Fun-Filled Fun | Let's Share Our 6th Anniversary Celebration)

Synonym: 分; 樂趣

Reference: https://www.kkday.com/zh-hk/product/270767?srsltid=AfmBOoozOC0SsPhQP61ffB7h06phXofqw0cf1SPQbf-CHhWuSNHZs5Co

mo lei tau

Definition: Transliterated from '冇厘頭' meaning 'with no source', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that is used to describe something that makes no sense. It originated from a type of slapstick humour associated with Hong Kong popular culture in the late 20th century, most notably in Steven Chow's (周星馳) movies.

Usage: E.g. I think this story is mo lei tau! But it gives me a very good laugh! (我覺得呢個故事簡直係冇厘頭!不過真係好搞笑!)

Synonym: 冇厘頭

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_lei_tau

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

lift

Definition: Pronounced as 'leeb' (long vowel), this is an a lot more linguistically efficient way of referring to '升降機' in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 等陣呀。我兒家搭緊lift上黎。

Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

Auntie

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to address a middle-aged woman who wants to sound younger because '姨姨' in Cantonese somehow sounds old.

Usage: E.g. A: 點解香港咁多盲毛,好多人見到女性唔係着校服嘅就叫人阿姨!尤其啲阿叔阿婆次次鳩叫。好心盲毛唔識分就叫人姐姐/小姐/阿妺!叫後生啲點都好過叫老咗呀。B: Hi Auntie. (A: Why are there so many blind idiots in Hong Kong? Many people address women as 'ah yi' whenever someone who is not wearing school uniform! Especially the uncles and grannies! Could these blind idiots say sister, miss, or sis?! Addressing someone as younger is better than old. B: Hi Auntie.)

Synonym: 姨姨; 阿姨

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2839861/page/1

low pay leave

Definition: A code-mixing term used by grassroots Hong Kongers to refer to “no pay leave” or non-paid leave.

Usage: E.g. 請唔到病假咪請low pay leave囉! (no pay leave)

Synonym: 無薪假期

wai wai wai

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to forming inner circles and having decisions made by its members.

Usage: E.g. You think they are really inviting a bid? They are just wai wai wai!

Synonym: 圍威喂

Reference: https://words.hk/zidin/圍威喂

topic

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a subject matter that is less socially loaded, people-oriented or even gossipy.

Usage: E.g. 成日都講人是非,可唔可以轉topic?(The conversation is always gossiping about others. Can we change the topic?)

Synonym: 話題

Reference: https://spencerlam.hk/blog/2022/02/01/group-discussion技巧/

taste

Definition: Often pronounced with a '屎' (faeces) at the end of the word, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to having the ability to recognise something good. ('有品味')

Usage: E.g. 哇,你識揀呢件衫,真係好有taste呀!

Synonym: 品味

Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

chill

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to mean 'relaxing' (adjective), while real ABC's use it as a verb meaning 'to relax'.  However, Fake ABC's use this term to mean feeling cold. (發冷)

Usage: E.g. 我覺得首歌好chill呀,好好聽。(relaxing) E.g. 我地一齊去chill一陣呀?(to relax) E.g. 我覺得好chill呀。閂細D aircon得嗎?(feeling cold)

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/128449/你是否-偽abc-chill-中文意思係咩-10個港人常用錯英文字

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