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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 822 results

boil telephone congee

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to talking on the phone for hours. (煲電話粥) Usage: E.g. Stop boiling telephone congee with your friend every day!Synonym: 煲電話粥Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/8-colloquialisms-unique-to-cantonese

parallel

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to describe something that is going on simultaneously as another, such as a task or event. At other times, it can also be used to describe things happening outside of work such as love relationships. Usage: E.g. 呢兩個task幫我睇吓可唔可以同時parallel咁樣進行。(Help me see whether the two tasks can proceed at the same time.) E.g. 點解拍拖唔可以Parallel咁進行? (Why can't you date more than one person at the same time?)Synonym: 同時間Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3070535/page/1

contribute

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers like to use to refer to giving or providing something, in order to help achieve a goal. Usage: E.g. 麻煩大家contribute一吓個discussion。Synonym: 貢獻Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ

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

gay dor cheen

Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to ask a shopkeeper how much something costs, which is extremely effective when bargaining for a lower price at wet markets. It can also be shortened to 'gay cheen' (幾錢). Usage: E.g. Gay dor cheen? (幾多錢?) E.g. Gay cheen? (幾錢?)Synonym: 幾多錢?Reference: https://homekong.com.hk/blogs/read/helpful-cantonese-phrases-to-know

tiramisu

Definition: Often mistaken 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

visa

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to the Cantonese equivalent '簽證'. Usage: E.g. 你搞好左travel visa未呀?(旅遊簽證) E.g. 你到外國工作要有working visa架。(工作簽證)Synonym: 簽證

uncle feet

Definition: Derived from the punning of '縮腳' with '叔' (uncle) having a similar pronunciation as '縮' (to shrink) , this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that is used to tell someone to watch their feet. Usage: Eg. I am mopping the floor. Uncle feet!Synonym: 縮腳Reference: https://youtu.be/_3hhDIErE2g?si=SLsZUTCKhV5cfm8x

feel

Definition: A chic way of saying the word 'feel' in Cantonese, in order to avoid sounding old-fashioned. Usage: E.g. 晨早樓樓係到食薯片,好唔岩feel喎。(noun) E.g. 喂,你今日著成咁,好MKfeel喎。 (noun) E.g. 我feel到佢對我有意思。(verb) E.g. 我對你已經冇哂feel喇。 (noun)Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

heavy

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe the feeling of eating too much. Usage: E.g. 食完打邊爐再飲咖啡會好heavy。Synonym: 好腬
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