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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


381 results found

try

Definition: A less cliche and irritating sounding code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to quickly test or experience something first, in order to know whether it is suitable for them in the long term. Usage: E.g. 有新game出左?等我try吓先。 (A new game came out? Let me try first.) E.g. 買左件衫比我?等我try try先。 (Bought a shirt for me? Let me try try first.)Synonym: 嘗試, 試Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2866301/page/17

Hey man

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that westernised Hong Kongers like to use when they want to show their warmth and passion in befriending others, even when they have known a person for just a short while. Usage: E.g. Hey man,近排幾好嗎?(How have you been?) E.g. Hey man,吃左飯未呀?(Have you eaten yet?) E.g. Hey man,不如今餐我請呀?(What about I treat you this meal?)Synonym: 喂,老友

6 7

Definition: (textspeak) Originated from the numbers 6 and 7 sounding similar to '碌柒' meaning 'a stick of dick', this is a Kongish code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to describe someone as very dumb and brainless, like a dickhead. Usage: E.g. 唔好成個6 7咁樣企喺到啦!(Don't be like a dickhead just standing there!)Synonym: 碌柒Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DR_ewS2k4Yy/

travel

Definition: A chique sounding code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to going on a trip without quite knowing the particular destination. Usage: E.g. A: 今次假期又去邊到呀? B: 唔知呀,我鍾意去呢到travel吓,又去嗰到travel吓,總之去到邊就邊囉。(A: Where will you go this holiday? B: I don't know. I just like to travel here and travel there, just wherever I travel then where I go.)Synonym: 旅遊

the show must go on

Definition: Became known by the TVB episode 'The Queen of News', this is a code-mixing phrase said by working class Hong Kongers to encourage people to continue doing what they have set out to do, even if it means taking risks and receiving consequences. Usage: E.g. 冇人敢報等我嚟吖!萬一touchwood報錯咪賴落我度咯,I have nothing to lose。我宗旨好簡單,the show must go on。(If no one dares to report this, then I'll do it! If the news turn out to be wrong, then blame it on me, touchwood. I have nothing to lose. My goal is very simple, the show must go on.)Synonym: 表演必須繼續Reference: https://hk.ulifestyle.com.hk/topic/detail/20021530/新聞女王-高海寧重現主播喊住報死訊新聞一幕-雙眼通紅淚珠滑落與現實如出一轍/1

sure

Definition: Often pronounced in two syllables as 'shu-ah' and used with ‘唔‘ (not), this is a cool sounding code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to express absolute uncertainty over a subject matter in an informal setting. Usage: E.g. 佢係唔係好叻?我唔sure。(Is he really smart? I am not sure.) E.g. 今日會唔會落雨?我唔sure。(Will it rain today? I am not sure.) E.g. 佢阿媽係唔係女人?我唔sure。(Is his mom a woman? I am not sure.)Synonym: 肯定Reference: https://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=30817621

explore

Definition: A code-mixing term that upper class Hong Kongers like to use when they want to sound like they are taking the time to choose something, rather than being so picky and indecisive. Usage: E.g. A: 今個假期你會去邊呀?B: 我仲explore緊有咩options。(A: Where will you go this holiday? B: I am still exploring options.)Synonym: 探索Reference: https://www.threads.com/@christineknlau/post/DSXI_fNj5ES/christine呀我份工其實唔錯但總覺得缺少啲嘢-最近好多人同我講類似嘅話人工ok但冇挑戰性同事nice但冇growth公司穩定但好悶呢種感覺我稱之為care

discipline

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong parents when they want to train their kids to be more well-behaved and organised without sounding so harsh and verbose. Usage: E.g. 你今次考試考到咁低分。以後要discipline啲去溫書,知唔知?!(You got such a low mark in the exam this time. From now on, you should have more discipline to study, understand?)Synonym: 有紀律

r

Definition: Often pronounced as ‘ah-lo’, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to the letter ‘r’. Even though some Hong Kongers are aware of the prestigious ‘r’ that is pronounced rhotically, most of them choose not to say it in social situations because it sounds too pretentious like a fake American born Chinese. Usage: E.g. 去日本旅行要搭JR。(Going on vacation in Japan needs taking the J Ah-lo.) E.g. 請問MTR喺邊到? (May I ask where is the M-tee-ah-lo?)Synonym: Ah-lo

reservation

Definition: A classy code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to arranging something for use at a later time, such as a table or room. Usage: E.g. 唔該可唔可以幫我make個reservation留兩張枱?(Excuse me, can you help me make a reservation for two tables?)Synonym: 預訂Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3981159/page/19