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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 822 results

invite

Definition: A code-mixing term that westernised Hong Kongers often use to ask someone to go to an event in a polite and semi-formal manner. Usage: E.g. A: 可唔可以叫埋我個friend黎?B: 好呀,等我invite埋佢啦。(A: Can you get my friend to come as well? B: Sure, let me invite him.)Synonym: 邀請Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2051830/page/2

you know

Definition: A tag-switching phrase overused by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong to create a western appeal. Usage: E.g. You know, 我成日去做gym緊係fit啦, you know。 E.g. 我係上等人咁緊係成日夾雜英文啦, you know?Reference: https://travel.ulifestyle.com.hk/news/detail/12179/明明無r音都要捲舌-5大令人頂唔順的偽abc特徵/1

sup sup sui

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to refer to an easy task, which is equivalent to 'piece of cake' in English. Usage: E.g. A: Thanks for helping me out! B: No problem! Sup sup sui la!Synonym: 濕濕碎Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-descriptive-slang-phrases

chur

Definition: 1. (adj). To describe a hectic state where you are so busy that you feel like you cannot breathe. 2. (verb). An Englishised code-mixing term that refers to exhausting oneself in order to get work done in a short period of time, which is usually brought on by demanding customers or people of high authority. Usage: E.g. 今日返工真係好chur呀。(adj) E.g. 哇,呢個客洗唔洗chur到咁盡呀?比條生路人地行吓好嗎?(verb)Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-hea-chok-chur/

elaborate

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local and overseas educated Hong Kongers when they want to testify a person's knowledge or believe that the other person can be more eloquent in expressing their ideas. Usage: E.g. 唔好意思。我唔明你講咩喎。你可以elaborate一吓嗎?(I’m sorry. But I don’t understand what you are talking about. Can you elaborate?)Synonym: 詳細說明

sik farn

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing term transliterated from ‘食飯’, which means eat rice. Usage: E.g. Sik jor farn mei ar? (食左飯未呀?) E.g. Hor yee sik farn la. (可以食飯喇)Synonym: 食飯Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/2019/11/16/the-use-of-transliteration-in-kongish/

No bullsh*t let's go

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by upper class Hong Kongers to establish trust with customers when promoting a business. Usage: E.g. No bullsh*t let's go!跟住 HKTCG 我哋一齊贏!(Let's win together with HKTCG!)Synonym: 少廢話,來吧Reference: https://www.threads.com/@khdcheung/post/DX02bSTEc-M?xmt=AQF0lZjxc45QjrCh3--CSn7W3dC_HoSGA08fDOIdafdfko2qCBQj9p7NjCpfwaSQfVGackI&source_surface=35&slof=1

mm goi

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by real ABC Hong Kongers to say 'please', 'excuse me' or 'thank you', depending on the situation. (唔該) Usage: E.g. Mm goi. (To call the waiter at a restaurant) E.g. Mm goi jeh jeh (Excuse me, please let me through) E.g. Mm goi sai! (Thank you very much!) E.g. Set A lunch, mm goi. (Set A lunch, please) E.g. Mm goi, where is the MTR? (May I ask where is the MTR?)Synonym: 唔該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%E2%80%9Chou%2520ging,jeng%E2%80%9D%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.

first round

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to the initial stage in a process, such as an interview. At other times, it is also used for the describing the first in a set of social events, such as drinks and dinner. Usage: E.g. First round既interview會幾簡單。Second round先會問你深入D既問題。(The first round interview will be very simple. The second round will be more in-depth.) E.g. 我今晚唔join first round喇。Second round先再join你地。(I am not going to join first round tonight. But I will join the second round.)Synonym: 第一輪Reference: https://www.threads.com/@hkcareerstory/post/C97oprFSuDw

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!
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