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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 946 results

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing idiom used by native Hong Kongers to describe a situation where you cannot force someone into seeking help if they do not accept it.

Usage: E.g. I offered to help him with his homework but he never sent it over. Oh well... if the cow doesn't drink water, you cannot press the cow's head down.

Synonym: 牛唔飲水唔撳得牛頭低

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms

body

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to the visually appealing exterior of something, such as the figure of a person.

Usage: E.g. 2023年落選港姐郭珮文,參選時憑著驕人的35C身材獲封「最強Body」(Juliana Kwok, a Miss Hong Kong contestant in 2023, was dubbed the "Ultimate Body" during the competition thanks to her impressive 35C figure.)

Synonym: 身體

Reference: https://www.stheadline.com/film-drama/3585362

selling point

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a feature or quality of a product that persuades people to buy it. Compared to '賣點' in Cantonese, selling point can often extend to services and people, and can refer to personal attractiveness or uniqueness.

Usage: E.g. 以前佢地D selling point 係聽話忠誠 (Their selling point used to be that they were willing to listen and loyal to their customers.)

Synonym: 賣點

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3746011/page/2

work life balance

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a job benefit that often comes with some downsides or sacrifices in order to maintain a good balance between work and leisure, such as a lower salary.

Usage: E.g. 網民A:講得出Work-life balance 嘅工多數都唔係Work-life balance (Netizen A: Jobs that say they have a work-life balance usually don't have work-life balance.) E.g. 網民H:人工低咪Work-life balance,但户口唔balance (Netizen H: If you have low salary, it means you have work-life balance, but your bank account will not have a balance.)

Synonym: 工作與生活的平衡

Reference: https://resources.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/35732/職場熱話-香港公司5日工作天就標榜自己係work-life-balance-事主-成日放工仲要覆message

this this rice

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to a popular dish known as two dish rice, which originates from pointing one's finger to dishes when choosing dishes to eat at a two dish rice restaurant.

Usage: E.g. Excuse me, I want this, this, this...

Synonym: 兩餸飯, two dish rice

Reference: https://hk.ulifestyle.com.hk/topic/detail/20091475/dse-英文口試驚現-兩餸飯-考起學生-考評局正解非this-this-rice/3

pose

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a physical position that a person arranges and fixates in order to be photographed, which is often more difficult that it seems.

Usage: E.g. 自拍唔洗愁擺pose!10大熱門韓星IG影相手勢整理 (No need to worry about posing for selfies anymore! Here is a compilation of top 10 popular Korean stars IG photo gestures)

Synonym: 姿势

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/60213634/自拍唔洗愁擺pose-10大熱門韓星ig影相手勢整理-跟住影相零失誤

no eye see

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that refers to something that is like an eyesore to oneself because he or she cannot withstand it anymore.

Usage: E.g. 你地做成日都打爛野。我真係no eye see喇。(冇眼睇)

Synonym: 冇眼睇

Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/tag/kongish/

invite

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use to refer to treating someone a meal, such as lunch or dinner.

Usage: E.g. Can you invite you to dinner today?

Synonym: 請

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkP4AAqaKTk

can

Definition: Sometimes said with a fist pump gesture, this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to express absolute affirmation towards the feasibility of an idea.

Usage: E.g. 當然啦! 呢個idea絕對can啦! (Of course! This idea is absolutely feasible!)

Synonym: 可以, 可行

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/

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