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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 783 results

no show

Definition: A noun phrase-looking code-mixing verb that native Hong Kongers use to refer to someone who did not turn up at an event or occasion. Usage: E.g. 大日子遲到同no show無分別 (On an important occasion, there is no difference between being late and not showing up.)Synonym: 冇到, 缺席Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3844386/page/9

gchi

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing term derived from '支持', meaning to support. Usage: E.g. 全靠大家GCHI,本會終於成功當選,今後仍然需要大家多多GCHI。Synonym: 支持Reference: https://hkdic.my-helper.com/gchi/

style

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a more general look or vibe of something rather than the artistic or literary manner of something, or the character of a person. Usage: E.g. 呢家啲00後衣著style好似完美屌打90後. (Nowadays the Gen Z's dressing style seem to be winning over the 90's by far.)Synonym: 風格Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3739511/page/4

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

chee sor

Definition: A romanised code-mixing term that real ABC’s like to use to refer to toilet. (廁所) Usage: E.g. Excuse me? Where is the chee sor?Synonym: 廁所Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%2520alternative%2520to%2520“hou%2520ging,jeng”%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.

order

Definition: Pronounced as '痾打', this is a more elegant term that refers to the Cantonese equivalent(落單)for placing orders.  Sometimes, it is used by the police when giving instructions to the subordinates. Usage: E.g. D野仲未黎既?我落左order好耐喇喎。快D吹吓佢。E.g. 警察:This is an order! Understand?! 下屬:Yes, sir!Synonym: 落單Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk

big ear hole

Definition: Derived from '大耳窿' with '窿' sounds like 'loan' in English, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to a person or company that offers loans at extremely high interest rates. Usage: E.g. Don't borrow money from this company. It is a big ear hole!Synonym: 大耳窿

timing

Definition: Often said with a rising intonation on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Konger badminton coaches like to use to refer to the exact point in time of something because the Cantonese equivalent ‘時機’ somehow sounds less accurate. Usage: E.g. 描準個ball,睇好個timing打落去,咁先得架嘛。(Aim at the ball, watch for the right timing and hit it. You got it?)Synonym: 時機

claim

Definition: This is a code-mixing term used to refer to claiming money.  However, it is often pronounced as 'kam' by grassroot class Hong Kongers. Usage: E.g. 請問讀完個course有冇得kam返d錢架? E.g. 請問d飯錢可唔可以問返公司kam架?Synonym: 索取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

mean

Definition: A code-mixing term that is used when you want to avoid describing someone as being '衰' or not nice. Usage: E.g. 男仔:喂,我覺得你咁樣講野好衰呀。女朋友:你話我衰?! E.g. 男仔:喂,我覺得你咁樣講野好mean呀。女朋友:講得岩。我有時講野係mean左D,不過唔至於係衰。
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