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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 783 results

no bullsh*t let's go

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to express how serious a matter is and is no joke at all. Usage: E.g. 鍾培生:Sign the f***ing contract. No bullsh*t let's go.Synonym: 廢話少講, 來吧Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDK59_Yhv6Y

type

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers often use when they want to tell someone politely that they are not the sort of person they want to be with or attracted to. Usage: E.g. 唔好意思,你唔係我個type。(Sorry, but you are not the type of person I want to be with.)Synonym: 種類Reference: https://www.dcard.tw/f/hkmacdaily/p/239885576/b/4-1

click

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to being able to like and understand someone. Usage: E.g. 我覺得我同你click唔到。Synonym: 相處融洽Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2736661/page/3

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

double confirm

Definition: Even though the word 'double' may seem redundant, this is a code-mixing expression that is often used in the workplaces of Hong Kong when you want to verify something. Usage: E.g. 可唔可以double confirm吓個schedule呀? E.g. 唔該幫我double confirm吓每一個detail呀。Synonym: 雙重確認Reference: https://smelab.com.hk/職場英語-double-confirm-reconfirm/

interesting

Definition: A code-mixing filler term used by westernised Hong Kongers when they don't really find the other person's topic is all that interesting in a conversation. Usage: E.g. A: 我平時鍾意寫app,去語言交流免費教人廣東話。B: 哦,interesting, interesting... (A: I like writing apps and going to language exchange to volunteer teaching people Cantonese regularly. B: Oh, interesting, interesting...) E.g. 我見外國人成日都用interesting 黎答人,仲要面無表情,會唔會係根本interesting 係外國一直都只係解: 哦⋯⋯. (I often see foreigners use 'interesting' as a response in a conversation, but without facial expression. Could it be that 'interesting' merely means like 'oh....' from a foreigner's perspective?)Synonym: 很有趣, 哦Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/1047783/page/1

approach

Definition: A code-mixing term that overseas educated Hong Kongers use to refer the way in which a person can start a conversation with someone, especially for the purpose of drawing nearer to them in relationship or distance. Usage: E.g. 到底可以點approach男仔? (How on earth can I approach boys?)Synonym: 靠近Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/546513/page/13

mm goi jeh jeh

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers when they cannot get the f**k out the train on the MTR. Literal meaning: Please move aside. Usage: E.g. Mm goi. (唔該) *nobody moves* Mm ho yi si. (唔好意思) *nobody moves* Mm goi jeh jeh! (唔該借借) *people move out of the way*Synonym: 唔該借借

jam

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers like to use to refer to paper being stuck in a printer. Usage: E.g. 個printer又jam紙?唔係掛?Synonym: 卡住紙Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ

long time no see

Definition: Pronounced as 'long tie lo see', this is a code-mixing term used by grassroots class Hong Kongers for greeting someone they have not seen for a long time. Usage: E.g. 喂!Long tie lo see!Reference: https://www.esquirehk.com/mens-talk/simon-shen-hong-kong-english-chinese
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