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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


470 results found

approach

Definition: A code-mixing term that overseas educated Hong Kongers use to refer the way in which a person can start a conversation with someone, especially for the purpose of drawing nearer to them in relationship or distance. Usage: E.g. 到底可以點approach男仔? (How on earth can I approach boys?)Synonym: 靠近Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/546513/page/13

menu

Definition: A code-mixing term used by grassroots Hong Kongers who prefer a QR code rather than a physical a food menu when they eat at a high class restaurant. Usage: E.g. 入到居酒屋見到張menu唔識叫。(On entering the Izakaya restaurant, I saw the menu but didn't know how to order.)Synonym: 餐牌Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3970505/page/1

magic

Definition: A code-mixing term used by all sorts of Hong Kongers to refer to the popular trading card game called Magic the Gathering. Usage: E.g. A: 打唔打magic呀? B: 等我整吓我個deck先再同你揪。(A: Do you want to play magic? B: Let me sort out my deck first before I dual with you.)Synonym: Magic the Gathering, 魔法風雲會Reference: https://magic.wizards.com/zh-Hant

pizza

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to the all sorts of thicknesses of bread served with toppings because they have eaten at Pizza Hut too many times and don't believe that pizza is merely '薄餅', which translates to thin bread in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. A: 想唔想食pizza? B: 好呀,不過我要食厚嗰隻芝心批喎。(A: Want to eat pizza? B: Sure, but I want to eat the thick kind of pizza with stuffed crust.)Synonym: 薄餅Reference: https://ufood.com.hk/restaurant/news/detail/20044615/全港10大Pizza推介-正宗意式口味-外脆內軟-邪惡拉芝/5

Best

Definition: Often expressed as ‘老best’ meaning 'old best', this is a code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers to refer to a best friend that a person has known for a long time. (呢個好大部分時候係攞嚟應用自己啲friend呀樣表達自己個friend係好老友囉咁樣) Usage: E.g. 你哋睇下呢個係我老best。(Let me show all of you. This is my old best friend.)Synonym: 睇下呢個係我個好朋友, 老友, old best friendReference: https://mingpaomonthly.com/article/details/語文.書話/2025-02/1737624129007/老best、bestie有咩分別?%20(歐陽偉豪)

hard feeling

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to avoid the use of sensitive negative vocabulary when they want to describe a situation where there can be anger or resentment involved when disagreement happens. Usage: E.g. A: 雖然我地達唔到共識,但係大家都唔好有hard feeling, ok? B: OK,明白。 (A: Even though we did not reach a consensus, we should not have any hard feelings okay? B: Okay, understood.) E.g. A: 雖然我地達唔到共識,但係大家都唔好有怨恨, ok? B: 講咩呀你?我幾時有怨恨?! (A: Even though we did not reach a consensus, we should not have any resentment okay? B: What are you talking about? When did I have resentment?!)Synonym: 憤怒, 怨恨, 不快Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3777161/page/1

freelance

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to the type of work done for companies independently with much flexibility and freedom, which resembles the origin of the word that referred to a medieval mercenary who would fight for whoever paid them the most. Usage: E.g. 接邊間公司既freelance做先最賺錢呀?緊係呢間啦!(Which company should I earn me the most doing a freelance job for? Definitely this company!)Synonym: 自由工作Reference: https://www.threads.com/@duoproduction/post/C_pdWgzS9qd

add

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers as a more natural and effortless way to ask for another person's contact number to their mobile phone list. Usage: E.g. 我唔係識左你好耐,不過可唔可以add左你先呀?(I haven't known you for long, but may I add you first?) E.g. 其實ig D女狂add 人係為左咩?(Why on earth are the girls on Instagram adding people wildly?)Synonym: 加Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2309015/page/1

airport

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers when they want to describe a girl with flat chest but don't want to get slapped. Usage: E.g. A: Do you like this girl? B: No, I think she is an airport!Synonym: 飛機場Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSZDmyBASgl/?igsh=MXVsbzJhZTFoYnRudw== (use mobile version)

latte

Definition: Originated from Italian meaning 'milk', this is a code-mixing used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to the type of coffee made with espresso and hot steamed milk, which they believe should not be as heavy as other kinds of coffee as the term '拿鐵' denotes, which has the literal meaning of 'carry metal'. Usage: E.g. 唔該,我想要一杯tall size既latte。(Excuse me, may I have a tall sized latte?)Synonym: 拿鐵Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3648151/page/1
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