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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


250 results found

moment

Definition: Originated from a Steven Chow movie, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe a brief period of time where one wants to unleash his potential. (瞬間)

Usage: E.g. 我醬爆感覺到,喺呢個moment,要爆喇

Synonym: 瞬間

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/電影/46299/愛-回帶-少林足球-醬爆-變漲爆-何文輝愈撈愈掂

mood

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a person's emotional state that can be driven by an atmosphere or a person.

Usage: E.g. 女朋友講完句野搞到我無晒mood (My girlfriend said something which made me lose my mood.)

Synonym: 心情

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/294607/page/3

move on

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to leaving past memories behind so they can progress or continue in life.

Usage: E.g. 被分手嘅大家係點move on? (How does everyone move on from a breakup?)

Synonym: 繼續前行

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2705628/page/6

Never mind

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to tell someone not to worry about something anymore, even though it may not sound polite to English speakers.

Usage: E.g. Never mind啦。我地下次再約。 E.g. Never mind啦。我自己搞得掂。

night cat / ghost

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who sleeps very late and doesn't wake up early. Similar to 'night owl' in English. (夜貓/夜鬼)

Usage: E.g. Maintain good health by sleeping early! Don't be a night cat / night ghost!

Synonym: 夜貓/夜鬼

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/55996/

Night King

Definition: Originated from the Cantonese movie 'Night King' starring Dayo Wong (黃子華), this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to the Lai King MTR station.

Usage: E.g. A: 今晚去唔去荔景?B: 好呀。不過荔景幾時變左Night King?!(A: Want to go to Lai King tonight? B: Sure. But when did Lai King become Night King?!)

Synonym: 夜王, 荔景

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/電影/60330286/夜王-葵芳一角爆紅-港鐵葵芳站改名franchesca-仲有隱藏廣播

no need to ask Ah Gui

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to something that is so obvious that there is no need to ask anyone about it, especially after finding out the wrong of somebody. 'Ah Gui' is a name that originated from an infamous official (李世桂) in the Qing Dynasty.

Usage: E.g. It must be him who let out the secrets! No need to ask Ah Gui!

Synonym: 唔洗問阿貴

Reference: https://www.kamadelivery.com/blog/posts/香港10大俗語-地道文化背景大解構/

no offense

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers when they are really considerate about offending someone before or after saying something, such as making a comment or remark. However, it can be entirely offensive sometimes even though the person says no offense.

Usage: E.g. 成日開口埋口都講No Offense嘅人,其實先係最Offense。(The person who always says no offense is very often the person who is the most offensive.)

Synonym: 有怪莫怪, 無意冒犯

Reference: https://www.facebook.com/100most/posts/毛牌觀察學-第五話成日開口埋口都講no-offense嘅人其實先係最offense要講offense嘢唔使咁就住嘅一係下次試吓改口講no-defense/1031481205006323/

no show

Definition: A noun phrase-looking code-mixing verb that native Hong Kongers use to refer to someone who did not turn up at an event or occasion.

Usage: E.g. 大日子遲到同no show無分別 (On an important occasion, there is no difference between being late and not showing up.)

Synonym: 冇到, 缺席

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3844386/page/9

no thank

Definition: Often mistaken as 'no thanks' or refusal to an offer, this is a code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers to acknowledge someone's gratitude, which is comparable to 'You are welcome'.

Usage: E.g. 岩岩做野果時幫佢手 佢同我講Thanks。我諗唔到除左No Thanks/ It’s Fine之外仲有咩回應。(When I started working for him at that time, he used to say 'thanks'. But I could not think of any phrases other than 'No Thanks/It's fine' as a response.)

Synonym: 唔洗唔該

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/599066/page/1

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