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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 852 results

cheers

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers when they celebrate an occasion with a drink, such as beer, wine or soft drinks.

Usage: E.g. 大家一齊飲杯啦!Cheers! (Let's make a toast. Cheers!)

Synonym: 乾杯, 飲杯, 飲勝

Reference: https://jyutdictionary.com/dictionary/entry/飲杯

wun gut

Definition: Derived from 'gut' (吉) meaning nothingness or tangerines, this is a romanised code-mixing slang phrase used to describe someone is messing about and wasting time, which purportedly comes from people in the past going into Hong Kong stores just to drink the bowl of soup called 'gut' soup (吉湯) without spending money on the food at all. 'wun' can mean to mix (混) or to transport (運).

Usage: Auntie: Stop tasting my fruits here and there! Are you wun gut?

Synonym: 運吉, 混吉

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now

out of control

Definition: A code-mixing term used by entertainment judges as a neutral way of describing the state of something not being controlled rather than implying someone has gone wrong losing control of something.

Usage: E.g. 我覺得你有時可能自視太高,你頭先出嚟時用聲同埋所有嘅野,你係完全out of control,直情係一個好似唔識唱歌嘅人 (I feel you may think too highly of yourself sometimes, like when you first came out and used your voice and all that, you were completely out of control, as if you were a person who didn't seem to know how to sing at all.)

Synonym: 失控

Reference: https://www.stheadline.com/film-drama/3570761/魔音女團莊子璇失準隨時出局陳熙蕊安慰喬美莎獲激讚-高學歷背景曾創百萬帶貨額

Hey man

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that westernised Hong Kongers like to use when they want to show their warmth and passion in befriending others, even when they have known a person for just a short while.

Usage: E.g. Hey man,近排幾好嗎?(How have you been?) E.g. Hey man,吃左飯未呀?(Have you eaten yet?) E.g. Hey man,不如今餐我請呀?(What about I treat you this meal?)

Synonym: 喂,老友

BB

Definition: Often used as 'baby pig' (BB豬) in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to call their lovers.

Usage: E.g. BB豬,你買D咩生日禮物比我呀?

Synonym: 寶貝

dead

Definition: (verb) This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a deadline for task.

Usage: E.g. 同事:份report幾時dead呀? 上司:今日dead左喇!仲喺到問!

Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

Boxing Day

Definition: Originated from a tradition where people would donate gifts to those in need, this is a code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who do not want to be misunderstood as the day on which they would open presents, as the Cantonese equivalent terms denote the opening of presents on that day.

Usage: E.g. 聽日就係boxing day。你會去邊到shopping?(Tomorrow is boxing day. Where will you go shopping?)

Synonym: 節禮日, 拆禮物日

Reference: https://zh-yue.wikipedia.org/wiki/拆禮物日

enjoy

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to taking pleasure from doing something. Sometimes, it can also be used intransitively as a verb to describe a state of mind where one is having a good time.

Usage: E.g. 每次暴雨或者打風,唔知點解我都好enjoy。(Whenever there is heavy rain or typhoon, I don't know why I really enjoy it.)

Synonym: 享受

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3973322/page/1

ngo mm sik gong gwong dong wa

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

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know

click

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

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