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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 783 results

caltor

Definition: Pronounced with a rising tone on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that refers to 'calculator'.  Also used as 'cal機' sometimes. Usage: E.g. 唔該借個cal機比我呀? E.g. 試下用caltor check吓個answer。Synonym: 計數機Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uik5GWvXiLA&t=210s

yau lok

Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to call the minibus driver to stop at the next bus stop. (有落) Usage: E.g. Mm goi yau lok! (唔該,有落)Synonym: 有落

friendly

Definition: Sometimes used with a negation particle such as '唔' meaning 'not' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe something as not very kind and pleasant in a less direct and personal way, even though the word is usually used to describe a person. Usage: E.g. 你講得岩。香港揸車唔係咁friendly。(You are right. Driving in Hong Kong isn't very friendly.)Synonym: 友善

JD

Definition: Short for 'job description', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kong HR departments like to use to refer to the piece of text that describes the job nature and responsibilities of a position in a company, which may be long or short depending on how much they want an applicant to know about the job. Usage: E.g. 又話會send份JD比我睇?你send左去邊度?(I thought you were going to send me the JD to have a look? Where did you send it to?)Synonym: 工作內容Reference: https://english.cool/job-description/

relax

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to loosening up, taking a rest or relieving stress. Usage: E.g. 平時做野咁大壓力,得閒就梗係要去relax吓啦!(We have so much stress from work every day. We should go and relax when we are free!)Synonym: 放鬆; 休息一下; 減壓Reference: https://www.ulifestyle.com.hk/community/detailpost/1aae63f8-2070-4a5b-a860-9dda56907f7f/打卡熱點/得閒就梗係要去rel/Heiman118/760860

magic

Definition: A code-mixing term used by all sorts of Hong Kongers to refer to the popular trading card game called Magic the Gathering. Usage: E.g. A: 打唔打magic呀? B: 等我整吓我個deck先再同你揪。(A: Do you want to play magic? B: Let me sort out my deck first before I dual with you.)Synonym: Magic the Gathering, 魔法風雲會Reference: https://magic.wizards.com/zh-Hant

in

Definition: (adj.) A code-mixing term used to describe someone or something as being very trendy. Usage: E.g. 哇,你今日著得好IN呀。 E.g. 聽返D流行音樂,咁先夠IN架嘛。 E.g. 做後生仔要夠IN先得架嘛。Synonym: 潮

down

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to computer that has become unavailable, possibly due to a crash.  Sometimes, it is used as the shortened version of 'download'. Usage: E.g. 大獲喇!公司server down機呀!快D搵人整呀!(當機) E.g. Down完個file未呀?咁耐既?(下載)Synonym: 當機; 下載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

two five boy

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to someone who betrays others. ie. A traitor. (二五仔) Usage: E.g. I can't believe you are the two five boy who let out the secret!Synonym: 二五仔Reference: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202105/25/AP60ac0e63e4b0a46dabeb8867.html

out cat

Definition: Said to have originated from 'copycat' in English, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to someone who cheats or copies other people's answers in an exam. (出貓) Usage: E.g. Don't dare to bring out the cat in an exam! (唔好咁大擔考試出貓!)Synonym: 出貓Reference: https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/lifestyle/article/3181508/cat-got-your-tongue-feline-inspired-cantonese-slang-all-kinds
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