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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 725 results

note

Definition: Often added with a 屎 (faeces), this is a code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers use to refer to short pieces of information written down on paper. Usage: E.g. 阿仔,上堂記住drop低D note屎呀!Synonym: 筆記Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ

act like a crab

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who is bragging about their achievements. (扮哂蟹 - baan6 saai3 haai5) Usage: E.g. A: Stop acting like a crab! You think you are better than me?!Synonym: 扮哂蟹Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-大頭蝦-big-head-prawn-language-hong-kong/

function

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to refer to a social event. Usage: E.g. 最近公司有咩function要搞?Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

add oil

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that Hong Kongers use to cheer for somebody else as encouragement or support when they are bored of the equivalent term '加油' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. Add oil! 希望你今次考試高分!Synonym: 加油

blow water without wiping mouth

Definition: Derived from '吹水唔抹嘴', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to someone who brags about his or her achievements and doesn't take any responsibility for it. ie. To talk bullsh*t. Usage: E.g. Don't believe in what he says! He likes blowing water without wiping mouth all the time! (唔好信佢講既野!佢成日都鍾意喺度吹水唔抹嘴!)Synonym: 吹水唔抹嘴

well-received

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by grassroots Hong Kongers when they want to express gratitude for something they have received, such as an email with an attachment. However, the working class Hong Kongers realise that this is probably not such a suitable term for them to use so they say 'Noted/Received with thanks'. Usage: E.g. Well-received with thanks. Synonym: 收到Reference: https://graduate.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/35656/電郵技巧|商用電郵|職場英語-10個打工仔常犯的英文email錯誤-please-kindly-well-received-with-thanks-都係錯-內附正確寫法

You big me?

Definition: Derived from '你大我?‘, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use when they feel that someone is bluffing them by a display of confidence. Usage: E.g. You big me? 我big返你and give you some color you see呀!(你大我?我大返你再比D顏色你睇呀!)Synonym: 你大我?

sophisticated

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers when they want to avoid describing a problem as complicated because they have the intelligence to solve it. At other times, there is just not a word that covers all the meanings of intelligent, complicated and even elegant sometimes. Usage: E.g. 呢個問題唔係復雜,只係太過sophisticated。如果你識將個問題分拆,你就會解答得到。 (This problem is not complicated, but just too sophisticated. If you know how to break down the problem, you will be able to solve it.)Synonym: 複習Reference: https://www.facebook.com/okiokifamily/posts/有人在影片留言反映-為什麼我們有時會中英夾雜-我們一早有注意到這個問題問所以上字幕的時候全部改成為中文只有極少數情況例外例如英文字-sophisticated-/1187675216048224/

Oh my God

Definition: A tag-switching phrase overused by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong to create a western appeal. Usage: E.g. Oh my God!今日咁曬我都唔記得帶suncream呀! E.g. Oh my God!我從來都未買過件dress係咁靚架!Reference: https://travel.ulifestyle.com.hk/news/detail/12179/明明無r音都要捲舌-5大令人頂唔順的偽abc特徵/1

menu

Definition: A code-mixing term used by grassroots Hong Kongers who prefer a QR code rather than a physical a food menu when they eat at a high class restaurant. Usage: E.g. 入到居酒屋見到張menu唔識叫。(On entering the Izakaya restaurant, I saw the menu but didn't know how to order.)Synonym: 餐牌Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3970505/page/1
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