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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 946 results

hi hi

Definition: (vulgar) Originated from LIHKG due to swear word filters, this is a code-mixing term used to refer to the worst possible circumstance that can ever happen to someone, as the tones of 'hihi' sound very similar to '仆街' in Cantonese, which means 'to trip on the street' or 'to die' as a metaphor.

Usage: E.g. 香港而家好似喺平行時空咁樣。樓價升,租金升。大部份嘅生意行業跌到hi hi (Hong Kong seems to be in parallel universe nowadays. Property prices rise, rents rise. Most of the business industries went completely broke.)

Synonym: 仆街

Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/BBg_BfSN0N/

download

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to downloading files from the internet. ('下載') Sometimes, it is shortened to 'down' instead.

Usage: E.g. Download個file落黎,再send比我呀唔該。

Synonym: 下載

exchange

Definition: Often complemented with '鳩吹' meaning talking nonsense or bullsh*t, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to the type of language exchange where people are simply talking and chatting but not quite making much effort in learning language at all.

Usage: E.g. 去唔去language exchange呀?B:你係指鳩吹exchange?(A: Want to go to language exchange? B: You mean nonsense / bullsh*t exchange?)

Synonym: 交流

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/1240271/page/2

Gong hei fat choi

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that Hong Kong expats use to wish someone prosperous and good fortune during Chinese New Year. Sometimes , it may be mistaken as 'Happy new year' by non-Cantonese speaking expats, even though there is nothing really wrong with saying it to people excessively. (Variant: Kung hei fat choi)

Usage: E.g. Happy Chinese New Year! Gong hei fat choi! Gong hei fat choi!

Synonym: 恭喜發財

Reference: https://www.zalora.com.hk/blog/lifestyle/kung-hei-fat-choi-meaning-how-to-respond-and-common-cantonese-new-year-blessings/

upgrade

Definition: A code-mixing term meaning to further oneself's studies.

Usage: E.g. 做人要不斷upgrade自己先夠充實架嘛。

chill

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to mean 'relaxing' (adjective), while real ABC's use it as a verb meaning 'to relax'.  However, Fake ABC's use this term to mean feeling cold. (發冷)

Usage: E.g. 我覺得首歌好chill呀,好好聽。(relaxing) E.g. 我地一齊去chill一陣呀?(to relax) E.g. 我覺得好chill呀。閂細D aircon得嗎?(feeling cold)

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/128449/你是否-偽abc-chill-中文意思係咩-10個港人常用錯英文字

Definition: Originated from meat being very expensive back in the 1950s, this is a Kongish code-mixing idiom used by native Hong Kongers who like to joke about giving birth to a piece of cha siu rather than their children.

Usage: E.g. You are so naughty and never do well in school! I would rather give birth to a cha siu than you!

Synonym: 生舊叉燒好過生你

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-生舊叉燒好過生你-better-to-give-birth-to-char-siu-than-you/#:~:text=Sik6%20caa1%20siu,back%20into%20its%20own%20court.

cream

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Miss Hong Kong celebrity Grace Chan to refer to an "unknown liquid" that was splashed on her son’s head by a woman while watching a Spiderman movie in a cinema.

Usage: E.g. 陳凱琳指兒子被淋Cream受驚已報警:而據悉在觀眾散場時,該名女子疑因不滿而突然發難,涉嫌直接向陳凱琳兒子的頭部潑淋不明乳狀液體,隨後迅速離開現場。愛子心切的陳凱琳在諮詢後,已於翌日前往中區警署報案 (Grace Chan reported to the police after her son was splashed by cream: It is reported that as the audience was leaving, a woman apparently dissatisfied suddenly lashed out, allegedly pouring an unknown liquid directly on the head of Grace Chan’s son before quickly fleeing. Deeply concerned for her son, Grace Chan sought advice and filed a police report at Central Police Station the next day.)

Synonym: 忌廉

Reference: https://www.stheadline.com/film-drama/3600942/陳凱琳回應影院風波-證二仔被淋Cream已報警好心痛-兒子疑踢凳惹女觀眾發難

sharp

Definition: 1. (adj) A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to describe a person being clever or quick to notice things. Sometimes, it is used as 'sharp醒'. 2. (adj) Used to describe someone's appearance as being too eye-catching.

Usage: E.g. 哇,乜今日咁sharp醒呀?咁快做哂D野? E.g. 呢件衫D顏色太sharp喇。

Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

wear a green hat

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe a man whose wife is cheating on him.

Usage: E.g. Why did you have to cheat on me and let me wear the green hat for so long?!!

Synonym: 載綠帽

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now?utm_campaign=likeshopme&utm_medium=instagram&utm_source=dash+hudson&utm_content=www.instagra (use mobile version)

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