Define Your Term | Login
What is code-mixing? | Mission | About | Learn More | Downloads | Lectures | Videos |
Instagram Instagram
English | Chinese

Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 725 results

go through

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to examining something in detail. Usage: E.g. 老闆:開會時記住同大家go through一下今個week既items。Reference: https://www.story001.com/post-196.html

appetizer

Definition: A code-mixing term that upper class Hong Kongers use to refer to a dish of food that is eaten before a meal to stimulate or whet one's appetite. Usage: E.g. D人未到,不如食個appetizer等住先啦?(People have not arrived yet. What about eating an appetizer while we wait?)Synonym: 前菜Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2723472/page/2

need son ng need mum

Definition: An idiom made popular by the toy product 'Need Son Ng Need Mum', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to the Chinese family tradition of favouring sons over daughters in carrying on a bloodline. Usage: E.g. A: Do you think you come from a traditional family? B: Yes! Need son ng need mum!Synonym: 要仔唔要乸, 重男輕女Reference: https://www.threads.com/@apetoys/post/DNfCsgkP2qd/限量預訂嘩曱甴懷孕動物-要仔唔要乸-第六彈-小強系列need-son-ng-need-mum-small-strong-series全12款1隱藏款每盒都有男b

act like a crab

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who is bragging about their achievements. (扮哂蟹 - baan6 saai3 haai5) Usage: E.g. A: Stop acting like a crab! You think you are better than me?!Synonym: 扮哂蟹Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-大頭蝦-big-head-prawn-language-hong-kong/

fuse

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to the wire that melts when the electric current exceeds the safe level in a device. Usage: E.g. 唔好chur到部機咁行,如果咪燒fuse屎架。Synonym: 燒fuse, 燒保險絲Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3579513/page/2

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

skip

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '跳過'. Usage: E.g. 條題目好難。skip左先啦。Synonym: 跳過Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

Itadakimasu

Definition: With a literal meaning of 'humbly receive', this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers who work in Japanese companies to express politeness before starting to eat a meal, which is equivalent to "Let's eat" in English. Usage: E.g. A: Itadakimas! B: 其實係唔係一定要講?A: 唔係,不過有禮貌啲囉。(A: Itadakimas! B: Do we actually have to say this? A: No, but it's more polite if we do.)Synonym: 開飯喇, 唔客氣喇, Let's eatReference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itadakimasu

eighth grader syndrome

Definition: Originated from Japanese TV show, this is an Englishised code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to a teenage-like person who often only lives in their own world and does things just to satisfy themselves, or even acting as if they have secret powers. Usage: E.g. 鍾培生吊威也求婚女友未say yes硬戴戒指網民:太中二了 (Derek Chung proposed to his girlfriend with a wire stunt and put the ring on her while she has not even said yes. Netizens commented: "Such eighth grader syndrome!")Synonym: 中二病Reference: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1239684264415029/

PK

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the Cantonese swear word '仆街', which literally translates to 'trip on the street'. Usage: E.g. 聽日交唔到貨就PK喇! E.g. 玩我?! 你個PK!
Define Your Term | Learn More