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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


211 results found

water

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to money and lots of different things. Usage: E.g. Blow water. (吹水 - to chat casually or brag about something) E.g. Measure water. (磅水 - to give money) E.g. Return water. (回水 - to return money) E.g. Clear water. (通水 - to give secret info like a test) E.g. Draw water. (抽水 - to get profit or benefit for free) E.g. One lump of water. (一舊水 - one hundred dollars) E.g. What water? (乜水 - who the heck are you?)Reference: https://topick.hket.com/article/679575/%E5%BB%A3%E6%9D%B1%E8%A9%B1%E8%80%83%E8%B5%B7%E4%BD%A0%E3%80%80%E3%80%8C%E6%B0%B4%E3%80%8D%E5%AD%97%E6%9C%89%E5%B9%BE%E5%A4%9A%E7%A8%AE%E6%84%8F%E6%80%9D%EF%BC%9F

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

gathering

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer people coming together. Even though the term can be used both formally and informally in English, it can actually be more personal and intimate than '聚會' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 女友稱約朋友去酒店Gathering 男友事後問起她卻支吾以對 (Girlfriend said she was going to a hotel with friends for a gathering, but when her boyfriend asked her about it later, she gave evasive answers.)Synonym: 聚會 Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/網絡熱話/女友稱約朋友去酒店gathering疑似出軌-637892/

fade out

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to withdrawing from a relationship gradually. However, it can also be comparable to 'ghosting' if the withdrawal is sudden enough. Usage: E.g. 可以點樣fade out想追我既人 (How can I fade out from someone who is chasing me?)Synonym: 淡出Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2975441/page/1

water fish

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a person who is easily deceived or fooled. Usage: E.g. Some people say Hong Kong is an international water fish city! (國際水魚都市)Synonym: 水魚

fuk

Definition: (textspeak) Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a trap or something of an inferior quality, which is comparable to the word 'dodgy' in English. Usage: E.g. This job is not what I thought! So fuk!Synonym: 伏Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now?utm_campaign=likeshopme&utm_medium=instagram&utm_source=dash+hudson&utm_content=www.instagra (use mobile version)

primary school chicken

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who is dumb, inexperienced, and immature. Usage: E.g. Pay attention to what the person who is saying during the meeting! Stop acting like a primary school chicken!Synonym: 小學雞Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now?utm_campaign=likeshopme&utm_medium=instagram&utm_source=dash+hudson&utm_content=www.instagra (use mobile version)

canteen

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a restaurant located inside a school or company. However, it is worth noting that the origin of the word is from Europe and should not to be confused with ‘can-ting’ or ‘can-teng’ in Mandarin or Cantonese (餐廳), which start with the ‘ts’ sound instead of ‘k’ sound in ‘can’. Usage: E.g. 今日好多人呀!快啲落canteen霸位啦!(There are so many people today! Let's go to the canteen to hog the seats first!)Synonym: 飯堂; 食堂 ; 餐廳Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSKkZbOEqPJ/ (use mobile version)

wat gei

Definition: Known as Kongish and having the literal meaning of 'bend machine', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to having overly powerful ability to do something. Usage: E.g. You must be wat gei in this game because you practice all the time!Synonym: 屈機Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-cantonese-slang-internet

Apple care

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers who rely on Apple company completely for their phone warranty service. Usage: E.g. Q: 點解你個IPhone唔用case? A: 因為我有Apple care. Apple幫我care. 我唔洗care. I don’t care! (Q: Why don't you have a case for your IPhone? A: Because I have Apple Care. Apple helps me take care of my phone, which means I don't need to care. I don't care!)Synonym: 蘋果保養Reference: https://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=30600166
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