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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


744 results found

drop dog sh*t

Definition: Derived from '落狗屎‘, this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to raining very heavily, which is equivalent of the phrase 'raining cats and dogs' in English. Usage: E.g. Wa! Right now is really drop dog sh*t ah! (哇!兒家真係落狗屎呀!)Synonym: 落狗屎Reference: https://ling-app.com/yue/cantonese-slang-words/

align

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to reaching a consensus on matters of a situation. Usage: E.g. 我地一齊align一下意見,再匯報比上頭知。Synonym: 保持一致Reference: https://www.story001.com/post-196.html
Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to acting dumb and innocent in order to win someone, such as in a card game. Usage: E.g. I know you've got an ace up your sleeves! Stop pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger!Synonym: 扮豬食老虎Reference: https://ling-app.com/yue/cantonese-slang-words/

good question

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students when they want to pause and think how to answer a question, even though it doesn't necessarily imply their ignorance. Usage: E.g. 唔識答就話that’s a very good question, 然後帶佢遊花園 (If you don't know how to answer, just say that's a very good question. Then beat around the bush.)Synonym: 問得好Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2767347/page/3

frankly speaking

Definition: A code-mixing term that is used when you really care not to offend someone. Usage: E.g. Frankly speaking呢,我覺得你唔夠quali囉。 E.g. Frankly speaking呢,我對你既印象麻麻地囉。 E.g. Frankly speaking呢,我覺得你好扮野囉。

nine not following eight

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that refers to giving irrelevant responses to questions. Usage: E.g. A:你去邊? B:我知道。A:Nine not following eight!Synonym: 九唔搭八Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-nine-not-following-eight/

agenda

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that refers to a list of matters to be discussed at a meeting. (議程) Usage: E.g. 我哋宜家一齊go through吓今日嘅agenda。Synonym: 議程Reference: https://hk.news.yahoo.com/開會常用英文-講完即刻pro咗-095043435.html

unfair advantage

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to a unique or distinct competitive edge that a person or company has over others, which is often something that they were born with or started with. The phrase also tends to be more positive and optimistic than the Cantonese equivalent terms, even though some may think the opposite is true. Usage: E.g. 林作:個世界就係唔公平。你要做既,就係要用任何你身上有可能既unfair advantage。如果你唔識用你靚仔呢樣野,令人覺得你靚仔D,至少比你做intern,咁你就係傻仔。(Jo Lam: The world is unfair as we know it. What you need to do is to make use of any sort of unfair advantage that you intrinsically have. If you don't know how to make use of your advantage in having good looks or make others think you are better looking so that they would at least give you a job as an intern, then you are an idiot.)Synonym: 不公平的優勢; 不平等的優勢Reference: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2975035002684251

gg

Definition: Derived from 'good game' in English, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a bad situation, such as not completing work before a deadline. (完蛋了) Usage: E.g. 今晚做唔哂D野真係gg喇。點算呀?(完蛋了)Reference: https://www.csb.gov.hk/hkgcsb/eon/190/190/190_3.html

hygiene

Definition: A code-mixing term that a "Jayden Mami" likes to use to refer more specifically to a person's habit in keeping clean, rather than the broader sense of cleanliness and sanitary conditions that the Cantonese equivalent term "衛生" denotes. Usage: E.g. Jayden,你攞人啲嘢食之前有冇做好hygiene呀?(Jayden, did you have good hygiene before grabbing somebody else's food?)Synonym: 衛生Reference: https://topick.hket.com/article/4112744/Jayden之亂|KOL拍片諷刺「Jayden媽」偽ABC育兒法%E3%80%80揭爆紅現象時間線-港媽式教仔金句
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