10 random words out of 910 results
Definition: (adj) A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to describe something that is advanced in technology. There is a famous quote that goes "High Tech揩野,Low Tech撈野", which describes the volatility of high-tech products as opposed to low-tech products that have a larger market despite high competition.
Usage: E.g. 哇,張枱有自動升降好high tech呀。
Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201902353/201902353_1.pdf
Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by foreigners when they come across a local Hong Konger who thinks they know how to speak Cantonese. Literal meaning: I don't know how to speak Cantonese.
Usage: E.g. Foreigner: Mm goi sai! Dor jeh! Hong Konger: Wow, your Cantonese is so good! Foreigner: Ngo mm sik gong gwong dong wa.
Synonym: 我唔識講廣東話
Definition: A convenient English phrase used by native Hong Kongers to avoid going into negative detail about someone who does not understand you.
Usage: E.g. 朋友: 喂,你講野好唔make sense喎。你:真的嗎? E.g. 我覺得你講野make sense,不過我唔係太明。 E.g. 你講野都唔make sense,廢鬼事再聽你講。
Definition: Originated from '甩P' in Cantonese, this is a Kongish code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to losing one's probationary driving licence period in order to obtain a full driving licence.
Usage: E.g. 在香港新領取車牌後,需在汽車展示「P」字,司機擁有1年駕駛經驗方可獲正式駕駛執照,即俗稱「甩P」。(After receiving a new car licence in Hong Kong, the "P" sign is required to be displayed on a person's car. Drivers need to have one year of driving experience before they can obtain a full driving licence, commonly known as "lose P".)
Synonym: 甩P
Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ6XwbejWAe/ (use mobile version)
Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers love to use to refer to selecting something on an electronic device, such as by using a mouse or touchpad.
Usage: E.g. 幫手click吓我D廣告啦!
Synonym: 點擊
Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201705266.pdf
Definition: Pronounced as 'tee-suu', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers have grown up with and got used to instead of the equivalent term in Cantonese.
Usage: E.g. 請問有冇tissue呀?。E.g. 唔該比張tissue黎呀,唔該。
Synonym: 紙巾
Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they become aware of a situation and understand it so that they can learn from it and make a wise decision next time.
Usage: E.g. 你唔realise第一間既loss又點樣低價買入第二間? (If you don't realise the loss of your first house, then how can you buy the second one at a low price?)
Synonym: 意識;領悟;發覺
Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3638415/page/8
Definition: Translated from the punning of ‘粟米肉粒飯’ (shuk mai yuk lup fan), this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to a rice dish with creamed corn and pork served in Hong Kong Cha Chaan Tang restaurants.
Usage: E.g. Excuse me, may I have a ‘show me your love rice’?
Synonym: 粟米肉粒飯
Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/2019/11/12/kongish-a-new-language-of-hong-kongers/
Definition: Derived from the Chinese internet slang '躺平', this is an Englishised code-mixing term used to describe a lifestyle of doing as little as possible, due to knowing that there is a 'rat race' going on where everyone is competing for jobs such that it is almost impossible to keep up with the societal pressure.
Usage: E.g. This exam is so difficult! I am lying flat! E.g. I am not lying flat! I must continue to find a better job!
Synonym: 躺平
Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-internet-and-texting-slang-to-use-right-now
Definition: Purportedly to have come from JobsDB applications, this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers as a less direct way of informing someone the very small chance of good news happening, such as the extension of an employee's contract.
Usage: E.g. 下屬:請問我大唔大可能會續約? 上司:暫時黎講,續約係會unlikely。(Employee: May I ask how likely my contract will extend? Employer: As of now, the chance of extending your contract is unlikely.)
Synonym: 唔大可能; 冇可能
Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2591532/page/1