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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 852 results

ying

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe something or someone that is cool, handsome, or stylish. (型 - ying4)

Usage: E.g. Wa! You look so ying today! (型)

Synonym: 型

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/8-colloquialisms-unique-to-cantonese

Ho

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term that is used as an adverb to emphasize the intensity of an adjective, which is similar to ‘very’ in English.

Usage: E.g. Ho ging ah! (Very powerful) E.g. Ho ying ah! (Very good looking) E.g. Ho jeng ah! (Very good or awesome) E.g. Ho ho may! (Very delicious)

Synonym: 好

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%2520alternative%2520to%2520“hou%2520ging,jeng”%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.

cappacino

Definition: A code-mixing term used by the upper class Hong Kongers to refer to the espresso-based coffee made with steamed milk because the Cantonese equivalent '意大利泡沫咖啡' is too sophisticated to say.

Usage: E.g. A:我平時最鍾意飲意大利泡沫咖啡。香港人:你指cappucino?

Synonym: 意大利泡沫咖啡

laptop

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to '手提電腦'.

Usage: E.g. 你部laptop用咩CPU架?好似好快喎。

Synonym: 手提電腦

go scuba diving

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing phrase that refers to someone who disappeared for a long time and no one knows where they went.

Usage: E.g. I will be blacklisting this guy who promised to attend the conference but went scuba diving!

Synonym: 潛水

no comment

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

put your horse to me

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to tell the other person to bring it on! (放馬過來)

Usage: E.g. I am not afraid of playing against you. Put your horse to me!

Synonym: 放馬過來

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

miss

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong girls love to use to ask their boyfriends whether they feel sad or regret about not having their presence at times, as ‘掛住‘ in Cantonese could just be merely thinking about someone without such emotions, which is not enough to satisfy a Hong Kong girl’s demands.

Usage: E.g. 呢幾日我地冇見。有冇miss我呀? (We have not seen each other these several days. Do you miss me?)

Synonym: 掛住, 想念

Reference: https://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=17173491

gong for

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing term meaning homework, which only Hong Kong local students can understand.

Usage: E.g. Jo jor gong for mei ar? (做左功課未呀?) E.g. Nei mong gong for meh? (你忙功課咩?) E.g. Jo sai d gong for la! (做晒D功課喇!)

Synonym: 功課

Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/2019/11/16/the-use-of-transliteration-in-kongish/

Let's say

Definition: A way to avoid sounding too imaginative when you want to suggest things that are impossible to happen.

Usage: E.g. Let’s say你有日比人老粒左,你會點呢? E.g. Let’s say你考試肥佬左,你會點面對你家人? E.g. Let's say你比人打獲金,你會唔會還拖?

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