Define Your Term | Login
What is code-mixing? | Mission | About | Learn More | Downloads | Lectures | Videos |
Instagram Instagram
English | Chinese

Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 822 results

relax

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to loosening up, taking a rest or relieving stress. Usage: E.g. 平時做野咁大壓力,得閒就梗係要去relax吓啦!(We have so much stress from work every day. We should go and relax when we are free!)Synonym: 放鬆; 休息一下; 減壓Reference: https://www.ulifestyle.com.hk/community/detailpost/1aae63f8-2070-4a5b-a860-9dda56907f7f/打卡熱點/得閒就梗係要去rel/Heiman118/760860

interesting

Definition: A code-mixing filler term used by westernised Hong Kongers when they don't really find the other person's topic is all that interesting in a conversation. Usage: E.g. A: 我平時鍾意寫app,去語言交流免費教人廣東話。B: 哦,interesting, interesting... (A: I like writing apps and going to language exchange to volunteer teaching people Cantonese regularly. B: Oh, interesting, interesting...) E.g. 我見外國人成日都用interesting 黎答人,仲要面無表情,會唔會係根本interesting 係外國一直都只係解: 哦⋯⋯. (I often see foreigners use 'interesting' as a response in a conversation, but without facial expression. Could it be that 'interesting' merely means like 'oh....' from a foreigner's perspective?)Synonym: 很有趣, 哦Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/1047783/page/1

fresh carrot skin

Definition: Originated from the olden days where the upper class loved to wear old sheepskin of high quality, this is a Kongish code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to describe someone who has low social status and tries to mimick the upper class by wearing cheap quality clothing that matches the appearance of expensive clothing. ie. The white colour and look of fresh carrot skin resembles the look of old sheepskin. Usage: E.g. You think you are so high class? What kind of fresh carrot skin are you?Synonym: 新鮮蘿蔔皮Reference: https://voltra.academy/blog/canton2

mute

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to a person's microphone being muted while in a meeting. Usage: E.g. 同事:喂,我聽唔到呀,你mute左呀。快D搵人叫佢unmute返啦。

flirt

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers often use to refer to chatting up or teasing someone in a playful manner, in order to show that you are interested in them romantically. Sometimes, it can be used interchangebly with '溝' in Cantonese, even though by definition it should be considered a technique rather than pursuing someone seriously. Usage: E.g. 條仔想flirt我,但係我冇理佢。(The guy wanted to flirt with me, but I did not pay him attention.) E.g. A: 唔好成日掛住溝女啦。B: Flirt吓姐,唔係溝。(A: Stop picking up girls all the time. B: Just flirting, not really pursuing.)Synonym: 打情罵俏Reference: https://www.threads.com/@tlyice._.1003/post/DH3K3QMz8_0?xmt=AQF0IPXN1NG4bUNCpCoEWK9j1nBrmidnUCWWQbO5UkWBZorXUuAW_rk2rnqngc_G0_Uo5TM&slof=1

sayunana

Definition: Originated from ‘sayonara’, this is a code-mixing term used by grassroots Hong Kongers who like to show off their limited Japanese language knowledge when they play with kids who are into Japanese anime. Usage: E.g. 下次再同你玩過。Sayunana!Synonym: sayonara, 拜拜Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3743607/page/1

eat c

Definition: A euphemistic way of telling somebody to eat sh*t (食屎). Usage: E.g. 咁巴閉?! Eat c la!

freelance

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to the type of work done for companies independently with much flexibility and freedom, which resembles the origin of the word that referred to a medieval mercenary who would fight for whoever paid them the most. Usage: E.g. 接邊間公司既freelance做先最賺錢呀?緊係呢間啦!(Which company should I earn me the most doing a freelance job for? Definitely this company!)Synonym: 自由工作Reference: https://www.threads.com/@duoproduction/post/C_pdWgzS9qd

put your horse to me

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to tell the other person to bring it on! (放馬過來) Usage: E.g. I am not afraid of playing against you. Put your horse to me!Synonym: 放馬過來Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

car

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong actor 楊偉倫 to express his breadth of knowledge when the club is facing crisis in the movie of Night King. Usage: E.g. 「我土地,學富五car,如果他朝有一日,你真的開鴨店的話,我赴湯蹈fire,做你頭牌!」(I'm Land, learned and knowledgeable like five cars. If one day you really open a male escort club, I'll brave any danger, go all out, and be your top male escort!)Synonym: 學富五車Reference: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/學富五車
Define Your Term | Learn More