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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


164 results found

ride an ox to look for a horse

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe working for a job while looking for a better one. (騎牛搵馬 - ke4 ngau4 wan2 maa5) Usage: E.g. Look for a job first! You can always ride an ox while looking for a horse!Synonym: 騎牛搵馬Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

seafood ghost

Definition: Known as Kongish and transliterated from '屎忽‘ meaning buttocks, this is a code-mixing phrase used to describe someone who always doesn't do what he or she says will do, somewhat like a faggot or asshole in English. Usage: E.g. This guy is such a seafood ghost! We always save him a seat at the restaurant but he never turns up!Synonym: 屎忽鬼Reference: https://evchk.fandom.com/zh/wiki/%E5%B1%8E%E5%BF%BD%E9%AC%BC

folder

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that is used instead of the Cantonese equivalent '文件夾' to refer to a physical folder or a virtual folder on a computer. Usage: E.g. 喺你個desktop上面開個folder,然後將你既file放入去。 E.g. 老師:唔該把所有功課放喺你個文件夾入面。同學:吓?文件夾?老師,你係邊到黎架?

look forward

Definition: Originated from business emails and often said without a ‘to’ at the end, this is a code-mixing phrase that working class Hong Kongers would use in non-business settings when they really anticipate the happening of an event. Usage: E.g. 我好look forward今餐會食咩。(I really look forward to what I will be eating for this meal.) E.g. 我好look forward今次既足球比賽。(I really look forward to this football match.)Synonym: 期待Reference: https://graduate.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/42024/lookforwardto點用-後面動詞需要加ing-與lookingforwardto有甚差別-用法-例句

hold gap see

Definition: With a literal meaning of 'very urgent faeces', this is an Englishised code-mixing phrase that is used by native Hong Kongers when one urgently needs to poop. He or she is just so desperate to go to the washroom that the sh*t may already be coming out of the a**hole. Usage: E.g. Hold gap see! Please excuse me for a minute!Synonym: 好急屎Reference: https://www.facebook.com/100063638007113/posts/1372326404898613/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Felix Diu

Definition: Originated from the Hong Kong Olympics sprint athlete '刁俊希', this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers when they feel like they cannot bother giving a f*** about something. Usage: E.g. Should I study for this exam? Felix Diu!Synonym: 費撚事屌Reference: https://www.threads.com/@lovelovehannigram/post/DH8tkORpNQ2

ngo mm sik gong gwong dong wa

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by foreigners when they come across a local Hong Konger who thinks they know how to speak Cantonese. Literal meaning: I don't know how to speak Cantonese. Usage: E.g. Foreigner: Mm goi sai! Dor jeh! Hong Konger: Wow, your Cantonese is so good! Foreigner: Ngo mm sik gong gwong dong wa.Synonym: 我唔識講廣東話Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know

nei ming ng ming gong mud ye?

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing phrase that is often used among local students in Hong Kong girl schools when they cannot understand what the teacher says in a lesson. Usage: E.g. *Teacher explains what to do for the lesson* Student A: Nei ming ng ming gong mud ye? Student B: Ng ming.Synonym: 你明唔明講乜野?Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/124322/集體回憶-90後最有共鳴火星文-禾刀吾g-3-你有無份

Holland Ben 7

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers when one feels embarassed about something stupid that he has done but still wishes to admit it honestly. While the phrase is English-sounding with Holland being a western country and Ben being an English name, it is actually homophonous with '好撚笨柒' in Cantonese, which has the literal meaning of 'very f***ing stupid penis'. Usage: E.g. I forgot my wallet at home! I am Holland Ben 7!Synonym: 好撚笨柒, Holland Bank Cheque

tiramisu

Definition: Often mistakened as a Japanese dessert, this is an Italian code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who are on a diet but cannot resist the temptation of eating desserts such as cheesecakes so they pick tiramisu which contains a lot less fat. Usage: E.g. 不如食埋tiramisu先埋單好嗎?我兒家減緊肥,不過唔算太過分啫?(What about eating a tiramisu before we get the bill? I am going on a diet, but I don’t think this would be too fat to eat?Synonym: 提拉米蘇Reference: https://amp.lihkg.com/thread/3766385/page/1