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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 681 results

dik hon

Definition: (textspeak) Derived from comic book characters having a large drop of sweat on their forehead or hair, this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to feeling speechless and reticent. Dik hon (滴汗) has the literal meaning of 'drip sweat'. Usage: E.g. Your joke is so lame! Dik hon!Synonym: 滴汗

casual

Definition: 1. (noun) A word used instead of the Cantonese equivalent to denote the meaning of casual wear. 2. (verb) A word used to tell another person to be casual, informal, and relaxed. 3. (adj.) A word used to describe something as being informal, such as an event. Usage: E.g. 同事: 聽日著casual得喇,知道嗎? E.g. 今日食飯casual D得喇。(隨便) E.g. 我聽日要去個casual既聚會。(非正式)Reference: https://www.esquirehk.com/mens-talk/simon-shen-hong-kong-english-chinese

inch

Definition: Derived from '寸' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who is cocky or arrogant. Usage: E.g. 知道你叻喇!不過洗唔洗咁inch呀?(in廚)Synonym: 寸Reference: https://www.hk01.com/熱爆話題/159516/konglish-港式英語鬧爆疑似第三者-網民-香港人先會明嘅英文

lift

Definition: Pronounced as 'leeb' (long vowel), this is an a lot more linguistically efficient way of referring to '升降機' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 等陣呀。我兒家搭緊lift上黎。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

catch up

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to refer to talking to someone in order to know what they have been doing. Usage: E.g. 我地幾時會再catch up吓?好耐冇見喇。Synonym: 趕上進度

sem

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term that refers to 'semester' and can hardly be replaced '學期'. Usage: E.g. 大學生:唔知今個sem考成點呢? 你:份project幾時交呀?同學:sem尾先至交呀。

MTR

Definition: Pronounced as 'm-tee-ah-lo', this is a code-mixing term used by the grassroot class Hong Kongers to refer to the train station. Usage: E.g. Foreigner: Excuse me, where is the MTR? HK'er: What? Foreigner: Where is the 'm-tee-ah-lo'? HK'er: Oh I understand! 'm-tee-ah-lo' is over there!

fit

Definition: Often pronounced with a long vowel 'feet', this is a code-mixing term that is more appropriate to use when describing someone in good shape. Usage: E.g. 男仔:哇,你身材幾好喎。女仔:咸濕仔! E.g. 男仔:哇,你身材好標準喎。女仔:死咸濕仔! E.g. 男仔:哇,你好fit喎。女仔:多謝。

ge

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term that is similar to the apostrophe + s in English, which is used as a possessive marker. Eg. Peter's car. Usage: E.g. fyi the box in the pic ge mask is made in china ga lor...Synonym: 既Reference: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10111885/3/Li_KD%20revision%20-%20ver%202%20-%20final%20submitted.pdf

proud of

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers when they want to show how pleased they are towards someone’s achievements, but want to sound less show-off or exaggerated about their feeling. Usage: E.g. 你考試咁高分,我好proud of你呀。(You scored so high in the exam. I am so proud of you.)Synonym: 驕傲,自豪Reference: https://www.threads.com/@grace_interest_english/post/DDthgzMyHsU