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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 852 results

hurt

Definition: (adj.) An irreplaceable code-mixing term used to describe an unhappy state, especially when a person has been devastated by someone.

Usage: E.g. 喂,你知唔知人地係會好hurt架? E.g. 喂,你咁講野人地係會好hurt架。 E.g. 點都好,你應該唔好hurt到人先岩。

Reference: https://medium.com/@girlslearnenglish/你說話會中英夾雜嗎-被-污名化-的中英夾雜-why-code-mixing-is-totally-fine-32eb1f280ca

del

Definition: Pronounced as 'dee', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers to refer to using the 'delete' button on a keyboard to get rid of something when using the computer.

Usage: E.g. Del左呢個paragraph,再加返個conclusion,然後再send比我啦。

Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201902353/201902353_1.pdf

m

Definition: A euphemistic code-mixing term that refers to 'menstruation' in English.  However, it is also used as 'M記' to refer to McDonald\'s.

Usage: E.g. 唔好話我聽兒家先黎M麻? E.g. 今次真係M到阿媽都唔認得喇!E.g. 今日又食M記?唔好喇掛!

run

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to keeping a company going without necessarily managing it. Sometimes, it can extend to running a family and keeping it alive.

Usage: E.g. 噢喔~原來Run一頭家 同Run一間公司差唔多。我們是彼此最重要的合作夥伴 (Oh... In fact, running a household is pretty much the same as running a company. We are each other's most important partners.)

Synonym: 經營; 運行

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@miffylulu0423/post/DYutyJzFkii/噢喔原來run一頭家-同run一間公司差唔多我們是彼此最重要的合作夥伴我們不談犧牲-只談合作分工我們不爭錯對-旨在共同解決問題我們不互相消耗-意在互相滋養我們不/

my pressure

Definition: Originated from 'my pleasure', this is a code-mixing term used by grassroots Hong Kongers to express their enjoyment in helping someone when they have used 'You are welcome' too often. Also, saying the Cantonese equivalent '我的榮幸' may just sound too formal and exaggerated for a small favour done for someone.

Usage: E.g. A: Thank you哂你呀!B: My preeessure.

Synonym: 我的榮幸, my pleasure

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3178884/page/39

outstanding

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers like to use to describe something that is not yet done or paid.

Usage: E.g. 依家仲有咩case係outstanding?

Synonym: 未解決

communication gap

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to illustrate the distance between two parties in terms of their communication, which is often due to their difference in job positions or departments in a company. Sometimes, it may be caused by forgeting to say "double confirm", which is a common phrase used by Hong Kongers at workplace to really make sure that certain information is correct.

Usage: E.g. 其實呢啲communication gap 大家可以做好D減少誤會,寫多兩句confirm is better。(As for these communication gaps, it is better for us all to try and minimise misunderstandings by saying 'confirm' more.)

Synonym: 溝通差距

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@purpzc/post/C-l0fNJyiZM?hl=en

topic

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a subject matter that is less socially loaded, people-oriented or even gossipy.

Usage: E.g. 成日都講人是非,可唔可以轉topic?(The conversation is always gossiping about others. Can we change the topic?)

Synonym: 話題

Reference: https://spencerlam.hk/blog/2022/02/01/group-discussion技巧/

Missy

Definition: A code-mixing term meaning female teacher.

Usage: Eg. Missy, 請問功課幾時交? Eg. 仔仔,有d咩唔識記住問missy呀。

Synonym: 先生

ma ma dei

Definition: A romanised code-mixing term that is used to describe something, a person, or state as being so-so, or just okay in quality.

Usage: E.g. A: How was the event? B: Ma ma dei la. E.g. A: How are you today? B: Ma ma dei la. E.g. A: What do you think of this shirt? B: I think it's ma ma dei.

Synonym: 麻麻地

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-descriptive-slang-phrases

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