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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


850 results found

guarantee

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer more specifically to the legal promises made by a company, especially in a contract or agreement.

Usage: E.g. bonus guarantee 有3個月?有d 公司好仆街係咪都話生意唔好減咁d 架wor (Is it guaranteed to have 3 months of bonus? Some companies are really an epic fail and say their business is not doing good then lower your salary.)

Synonym: 保證

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2863234/page/3

clarify

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers when they want to make something clear or to seek clarification from another person.

Usage: E.g. 我想clarify一吓呢個task係做咩。(I want to clarify what is to be done in this task.) E.g. 我想clarify一吓,係唔係九點開會?(Just to clarify, are we having a meeting at 9 o'clock?)

Synonym: 澄清; 釐清; 講清楚; 問清楚

Reference: https://hk.amazingtalker.com/questions/7500

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

afford

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to having enough money to buy something without indicating one's ability to cope with such burden.

Usage: E.g. 點解要鍾意自己 afford 唔起嘅 luxury? (Why love luxury that you can't afford?)

Synonym: 負擔得起; 買得起

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DP3vop4Epm7/ (use mobile version)

caring

Definition: A more broad and general code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to having concern, kindness and empathy towards others but not to the point of being so loving.

Usage: E.g. 之前都識左個男仔, 一開始都好nice 好caring, 突然有一日係車鬧左我成個鐘。(I used to know a guy who was very nice and caring at the start, but there came a day where he suddenly scolded me for an hour in the car.)

Synonym: 關心別人;有愛心

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3665573/page/28

briefing

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a meeting that highlights the key points rather than something that is more like a presentation.

Usage: E.g. 返工要提前返去briefing又唔計工時係咪犯法?(Is it illegal for an employee to go to work earlier for a briefing but not pay them salary?)

Synonym: 簡報會

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2566840/page/1

exposure

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to being able to gain experience of something by being in a particular environment rather than having physical contact with something. However, it is not to be confused with public exposure.

Usage: E.g. 學習語言要夠exposure。(Learning a language needs enough exposure.) E.g. 做開大行去細行一定唔慣,exposure 又細啲,資源又小啲。(It must be hard getting used to working in a small company if you came from a large company. There is less exposure and resources are also less.)

Synonym: 接觸

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2363704/page/1

cover

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they ask whether one has enough money for expense rather than having sufficient money itself.

Usage: E.g. 今個月cov唔cover到租金? (Can you cover the rent this month?)

Synonym: 足夠支付

Reference: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/zht/詞典/英語-漢語-繁體/cover

struggle

Definition: (verb/adj.) A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a less intense emotional state due to trivial matters.

Usage: E.g. 好Struggle買唔買ps5。 (Really struggling on whether to buy Playstation 5.) E.g. 我仲struggle緊今晚食D咩好。(I'm still struggling on what to eat tonight.)

Synonym: 掙扎

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3519800/page/1

preference

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to express a choice in something without stating their favour or to avoid sounding picky.

Usage: E.g. 我今晚既preference係食西餐,但係又唔代表我成日都鍾意。(My preference is western cuisine tonight, but that doesn't mean I like it all the time.)

Synonym: 偏愛; 偏好; 優先選擇

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3316788/page/27

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