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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


196 results found

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

two five boy

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to someone who betrays others. ie. A traitor. (二五仔) Usage: E.g. I can't believe you are the two five boy who let out the secret!Synonym: 二五仔Reference: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202105/25/AP60ac0e63e4b0a46dabeb8867.html

eat wet rice

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who is useless and is a waste of money to raise him or her up. (食濕米 or 食塞米) Usage: E.g. You cannot get anything done at all today? Do you eat wet rice? (你係咪食塞米?)Synonym: 食濕米, 食塞米Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/%E9%A3%9F%E5%A1%9E%E7%B1%B3

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

say yes

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they show acceptance towards something or someone. Even though it is often used in informal situations and not written down, it can sometimes be official enough like when a girl accepts a guy during a marriage proposal. Usage: E.g. 個女人未say yes直接搶佢隻手戴戒指。(The girl didn't even say yes and he grabbed her hand to put on the ring.)Synonym: 答應Reference: https://www.threads.com/@timorese2332/post/DVnTY5-jiQo?xmt=AQF0qy0bkiofGtnpzBvRV8K80eRv2Va6md233oSjBwnVGUCCMt_lLP7oN7zuNkcGOPG9nm0h&slof=1

Franchesca

Definition: Originated from the Cantonese movie 'Night King' starring Dayo Wong, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kong actress Kay Choi who played the role of a nightclub lady and used it as her name, which was somewhat translated from the place Kwai Fong in Hong Kong. Usage: E.g. 我叫Franchesca!今年19歲半,四捨五入都係 19 歲,嚟自香港葵芳。(I am Franchesca. I am 19 and a half years old, or 19 if rounded down. I come from Kwai Fong in Hong Kong.)Synonym: 葵芳Reference: https://www.facebook.com/D100Radio/posts/我叫franchesca今年19歲半四捨五入都係-19-歲嚟自香港葵芳江少真人靚過上鏡新一季虎豹獵奇打響頭炮嘉賓就係電影夜王裏飾演葵芳而爆紅嘅演員-蔡蕙琪-ka/1565701778891323/

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

arts

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to the DIY handicrafts that can be easily made by anyone, even though such crafts do require creativity to be unique enough like the fine arts sometimes. Usage: E.g. A: 請問你地啲手工藝係咪真係幫到人舒緩壓力?你地係咪讀心理學架?B: 吓?我都想。其實我地都係偏向arts架。(A: May I ask whether your handicrafts really help people to relieve their stress? Do you study psychology? B: What? I wish I do. Actually, we lean more towards the arts.)Synonym: 美術, 勞作

take action

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong policemen when they want to take legal or enforcement action to deal with a situation. At other times, it can simply be used to describe an action that one must take in order to further one's progress. Usage: E.g. 如果比我地警方查到你犯法,我地會take action。(If our police force finds out that you have broken the law, we will take action.) E.g. 依加我地唔上唔落咁又唔敢再take action住。(Right now, our relationship is not getting anymore so I am afraid of taking any actions yet.)Synonym: 採取行動Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/1671360/page/1

take advantage

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to exploiting the use of something, even though at times it can seem more like abusing or misusing something instead. Usage: E.g. 有D公司好take advantage D fresh grad,要你做唔哂野要OT。(Some companikes really take advantage of fresh graduates and get them to work overtime.) E.g. 有D員工好take advantage公司D病假。(Some employees really take advantage of the sick leaves offered by companies.)Synonym: 利用, 濫用Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3588289/page/6
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