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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 852 results

pineapple chicken

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who likes leeching off others. (菠羅雞 - bo1 lo4 gai1)

Usage: E.g. That girl is such a pineapple chicken! She just comes every time for the benefits and does not share or contribute.

Synonym: 菠羅雞

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/60017/

cover

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they ask whether one has enough money for expense rather than having sufficient money itself.

Usage: E.g. 今個月cov唔cover到租金? (Can you cover the rent this month?)

Synonym: 足夠支付

Reference: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/zht/詞典/英語-漢語-繁體/cover

result

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to the numerical outcome of something rather than the consequence or ending of something.

Usage: E.g. 出嚟個result有70分。(The result which came out was 70 marks.)

Synonym: 數據; 結果

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3797010/page/1

go scuba diving

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing phrase that refers to someone who disappeared for a long time and no one knows where they went.

Usage: E.g. I will be blacklisting this guy who promised to attend the conference but went scuba diving!

Synonym: 潛水

proper

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to describe people with high standards of social, moral and ethical behaviour which covers everything from the way they look, dress, and talk.

Usage: E.g. 我覺得呢個行業既人都係好proper。(I think everybody in this industry are so proper.)

Synonym: 規矩, 正當, 得體

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/4012349/page/1

firm

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to describe something or someone being reliable, awesome or decent.

Usage: E.g. 呢間canteen好firm。(This canteen is reliable and decent.) E.g. A: 你今次成績點呀?B: 超Firm呀,一定勁高分!(A: How is your exam result? B: Super awesome, certainly very high marks!)

Synonym: 掂, 穩陣

Reference: https://www.elle.com.hk/life/popular-slangs

whatever

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers when they want to express their dissatisfaction towards someone or something when they are running out of patience. Also, a 'la' particle is usually added to the end of it to emphasize the casual tone.

Usage: E.g. A:個客講左D咩? B:咪話過要呢樣又嗰樣囉,總之whatever啦。(A: What did the client say? B: Said they wanted this and that, just... whatever la.) E.g. A:今餐想食D咩? B:Whatever啦。(A: What do you want to eat for this meal? B: Whatever la.)

Synonym: 咩都好啦

Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1505250505201422336.html

load

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to putting information into a computer. (載入)

Usage: E.g. 點解個website load咁耐都load唔到架?Load得咁慢真係GG喇。

Synonym: 載入

shuttle

Definition: Often said without a 'bus', this is a chique sounding code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to a vehicle that has more specific and direct route to a destination. However, the Cantonese equivalent '穿梭巴士' may be used more often during holiday as it may sound more enjoyable and less 'chur' to ride on.

Usage: E.g. 我每日返工都有得搭shuttle,好快就到公司。 (I can take the shuttle to work every day and get to to office very fast.)

Synonym: 穿梭巴士,接駁巴士

Reference: https://www.weekendhk.com/網絡熱話/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-香港人-ctb02-by-1413297/2/

movie

Definition: Classified as 'JM tone', this is a code-mixing style adopted by Hong Kong celebrity Janice Man to represent the upper class.  (Notice that the letter m is a voiced consonant in this word and should be emphasized for extremely proper pronunciation.)

Usage: E.g. 我週末得閒既時候會同朋友去睇mmmovie。

Synonym: 電影

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