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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 613 results

gen

Definition: Derived from ‘generate’, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers like to use to refer to generating report using a computer. Usage: E.g. 幾時gen到份report?Synonym: 生成Reference: https://hk.ulifestyle.com.hk/topic/detail/20052582/香港職場30個中英夾雜用語-內地網民-自己會粵語也聽不懂/1

travel

Definition: A chique sounding code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to going on a trip without quite knowing the particular destination. Usage: E.g. A: 今次假期又去邊到呀? B: 唔知呀,我鍾意去呢到travel吓,又去嗰到travel吓,總之去到邊就邊囉。(A: Where will you go this holiday? B: I don't know. I just like to travel here and travel there, just wherever I travel then where I go.)Synonym: 旅遊

LV

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to the famous French luxury brand ‘Louis Vuitton’. However, the grassroots class Hong Kongers may pronounce it as ‘eh-lo-wee’. Usage: A:你最想買邊隻手袋呀?B:唔洗問緊係LV啦。(A: Which handbag do you want to buy? B: No need to ask. Must be LV.)Synonym: Louis VuittonReference: https://amp.lihkg.com/thread/3065984/page/1

check

Definition: A word that seems to have originated from a Chinese emperor, due to it being mistakenly aired from a TVB episode. Usage: 同朕check吓!(By TVB actor 陳豪)Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

uncle

Definition: A polite way of addressing a stranger, usually a much older person, when you meet them for the first time. Usage: E.g. 哈佬Uncle,nice to meet you! E.g. 阿女,快D叫聲uncle啦。Reference: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3048345/hong-kong-comes-alive-learning-cantonese-make-sure-you-know

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

blow water without wiping mouth

Definition: Derived from '吹水唔抹嘴', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to someone who brags about his or her achievements and doesn't take any responsibility for it. ie. To talk bullsh*t. Usage: E.g. Don't believe in what he says! He likes blowing water without wiping mouth all the time! (唔好信佢講既野!佢成日都鍾意喺度吹水唔抹嘴!)Synonym: 吹水唔抹嘴

band

Definition: Often used as '散band', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to dismissing after an event, such as a party. Usage: E.g. 今晚幾點散band?Synonym: 解散Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW0x5-SyI4o

very delicious

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that is often mistakened as grammatically incorrect due to the word 'very' being considered redundant, as 'delicious' already denotes the meaning of very yummy. However, it originates from '好好味' in Cantonese, which means 'very very tasty'. Usage: E.g. 哇,D野食真係very delicious呀。Synonym: 好好味

eat lemon

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to being rejected. (食檸檬) Usage: E.g. This time eat lemon la,very chaam chaam pig.Synonym: 食檸檬Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/8-colloquialisms-unique-to-cantonese