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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 783 results

check

Definition: (verb) A more suitable term for the Cantonese equivalent word '檢查', which sounds too formal and serious, like doing a body check. Usage: E.g. 同我check吓份文件好嗎?Synonym: 檢查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

discuss

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to talk about a topic with someone or a group of people and have them share their ideas and opinions. Usage: E.g. 不如一齊discuss吓個project點樣做? E.g. 我地discuss吓個問題,然後再結論。可以嗎?Synonym: 討論

sales

Definition: Often added with a '屎' (faeces), this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a salesperson. Usage: E.g. A: 點解好多人唔識分sale 同sell 呢2個字 B: 我諗係因為sales sale屎sell屎sale野sell野. (A: Why do so many people cannot differentiate between sale and sell? B: I think it is because sales sell sh*t and sale thing sell thing.)Synonym: sale屎Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3146390/page/1

take two

Definition: Originated from a Hong Kong TV advertisement in the 90's, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a second chance, which is most known for warning someone that there is no second chance in life. Usage: E.g. 香港的公益廣告曾有一句廣告詞「生命無『Take two』」很深入人心,意思是說「生命沒有第二次機會,要珍惜生命」(Hong Kong's public service advertisements once had a well-known slogan "There is no 'Take two' in life", which means "there is no second chance in life, we must cherish life".)Synonym: 第二次機會Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1674492649207500800.html

worse

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often misused by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong to refer to something of bad quality. Usage: E.g. 個湯凍嘅,真係好worse囉。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

contribute

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers like to use to refer to giving or providing something, in order to help achieve a goal. Usage: E.g. 麻煩大家contribute一吓個discussion。Synonym: 貢獻Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ

double check

Definition: A nicer-sounding phrase than '重複檢查' or '檢查兩次', which means to check again or check two times. Usage: E.g. 每次考試時記住double check份卷。

scout dan

Definition: Originated from the classic riddle '童子軍跳彈床' meaning scout trampoline, this is a code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use to express the meaning of 'I don't f***ing care' in informal situations. Usage: E.g. A: What do you want to eat for lunch? B: Scout dan la.Synonym: 是鳩但Reference: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/童子軍跳彈床——是鳩但

show off

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use instead of '炫耀', which sounds too formal to be used in conversation.  Also used as 'show qualie' sometimes. Usage: E.g. 唔好成日係到show off啦。知道你勁喇。E.g. 成日講野都夾雜英文。你喺到show qualie呀?

Park'n Shop

Definition: Originated from a supermarket chain in Hong Kong, this is a code-mixing term used by real ABC Hong Kongers to tell somebody to go to hell, as the name can be abbreviated to 'PK', which resembles the swear word '仆街' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 想搵我笨?!Go to Park'n Shop!
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