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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


704 results found

sophisticated

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers when they want to avoid describing a problem as complicated because they have the intelligence to solve it. At other times, there is just not a word that covers all the meanings of intelligent, complicated and even elegant sometimes. Usage: E.g. 呢個問題唔係復雜,只係太過sophisticated。如果你識將個問題分拆,你就會解答得到。 (This problem is not complicated, but just too sophisticated. If you know how to break down the problem, you will be able to solve it.)Synonym: 複習Reference: https://www.facebook.com/okiokifamily/posts/有人在影片留言反映-為什麼我們有時會中英夾雜-我們一早有注意到這個問題問所以上字幕的時候全部改成為中文只有極少數情況例外例如英文字-sophisticated-/1187675216048224/

lol

Definition: Derived from the internet slang 'laugh out loud'. this is a cliche code-mixing term that has grown out of the textspeak medium into human speech. As opposed to 'lol' being such an overused term on the internet where the meaning is often not that literal, the term is used by westernised Hong Kongers to really mean laugh out loud. Usage: E.g. 睇完套戲真係lol左。(I really laughed out loud after watching the movie!)Synonym: 大聲笑, 撈

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

cheung fun

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to steamed rice noodle rolls, which is a popular snack at street food vendors. However, this is not to be confused with ‘fun cheung’, which means ‘dick face’ in English. Usage: E.g. Let‘s eat some fun cheung at a Chinese restaurant! Sorry, I mean cheung fun!Synonym: 腸粉Reference: https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3318414/what-cheung-fun-different-types-chinese-rice-noodle-rolls-and-how-make-them

go scuba diving

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing phrase that refers to someone who disappeared for a long time and no one knows where they went. Usage: E.g. I will be blacklisting this guy who promised to attend the conference but went scuba diving!Synonym: 潛水

build chicken shed

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that working class Hong Kongers use to describe a business structure that scams people and is prone to collapse or failure, as 'chicken' (雞) in Cantonese can also be used to describe something cheap or weak. Usage: E.g. This company has people coming to work and leaving the job all the time! Such build chicken shed!Synonym: 搭雞棚Reference: https://ukdodgy.com/2024/04/06/scam

light light dick

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term that is likely to have derived from '輕輕地', which is an adverb that means 'gently'. Even though the 'dick' in the expression seems to refer to the male's penis, it is most likely a typo according to some native Hong Kongers and the AI. However, it is also purported to be the transliteration of ‘的’, which translates to ‘輕輕的‘, an expression that is often used by the Taiwanese poet Hamilton Hsu (徐志摩). Usage: E.g. Let me light light dick remind you... E.g. Light light dick push har.Synonym: 輕輕地Reference: https://www.facebook.com/KongishDaily/posts/light-light-dick-push-har-supportkongish/2052444074897500/?locale=sw_KE

lie flat

Definition: Derived from the Chinese internet slang '躺平', this is an Englishised code-mixing term used to describe a lifestyle of doing as little as possible, due to knowing that there is a 'rat race' going on where everyone is competing for jobs such that it is almost impossible to keep up with the societal pressure. Usage: E.g. This exam is so difficult! I am lying flat! E.g. I am not lying flat! I must continue to find a better job!Synonym: 躺平Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-internet-and-texting-slang-to-use-right-now

August 15

Definition: It is a slang used in casual, humorous contexts to describe the buttocks, often linked to the roundness of the full moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Usage: My first skateboard experience is i fell on my august 15th as soon as I stood on the board! Synonym: 八月十五Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/32249/

Ding Ding

Definition: Originated from the warning sounds of the bells when a tram is driving in Hong Kong, this is an Englishised code-mixing term which refers to the tram that can be taken in the Hong Kong Tramways on Hong Kong Island. Usage: Let's take a tour of Hong Kong Island by taking the Ding Ding!Synonym: 叮叮, 電車Reference: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/explore/attractions/hong-kong-tramways.html
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