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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


523 results found

pull a cow up the tree

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe strenuous tasks that are almost impossible to complete.

Usage: E.g. Getting my son to do homework is like pulling a cow up the tree!

Synonym: 拉牛上樹

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms

puppy love

Definition: An irreplaceable code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the kind of love relationship that one can get while being a teenager or kid.

Usage: E.g. 咁細個就談戀愛?Puppy love呀? E.g. 唔好成日掛住puppy love啦。讀好D書先啦。

Reference: https://repository.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/tc/item/cuhk-321644

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

Q-train

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to the new generation of electric multiple unit trains in the Hong Kong MTR produced by CRRC Qingdao Sifang.

Usage: E.g. 成型友大嗌Q train萬歲,搞到我差D以為Q train有還不完的恩情。(My friends kept shouting "Long live Q train!" which almost made me think Q train had an endless debt of gratitude to repay.)

Synonym: 市區綫願景列車

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@mr_luck_kinda_sucks/post/DWc9xJUk5qx?xmt=AQF05j-tBGLeYI6vBDAQQ-VN1sIrTbCEBlqWN97wggHxlDpvP-bUA91RIuhOZeQCanqxrsU&slof=1

quota

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to one's limit of something, such as how much food one can eat.

Usage: E.g. 食野要有quota,尤其係生野。 E.g. 我望手機有quota,因為我始終年紀大。

Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

r

Definition: Often pronounced as ‘ah-lo’, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to the letter ‘r’. Even though some Hong Kongers are aware of the prestigious ‘r’ that is pronounced rhotically, most of them choose not to say it in social situations because it sounds too pretentious like a fake American born Chinese.

Usage: E.g. 去日本旅行要搭JR。(Going on vacation in Japan needs taking the J Ah-lo.) E.g. 請問MTR喺邊到? (May I ask where is the M-tee-ah-lo?)

Synonym: Ah-lo

raise flag

Definition: Used as '立flag', this is a code-mixing term used by local student Hong Kongers to refer to being very vocal about what you want to do, but end up doing something that is completely opposite.

Usage: E.g. 佢又立flag話以後會減肥,點知佢就走左食buffet。

Synonym: 立flag

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now

rat race

Definition: Derived from the Chinese term '內卷' and often translated as 'involution', this is an Englishised code-mixing term that describes an economic situation where excessive competition does not lead to development and innovation. This may lead to people feeling stressed, anxious, and trapped, as the two characters mean 'inside rolling'.

Usage: E.g. I'm stuck in the rat race! I'm so tired of competing with everyone just to climb the career ladder!

Synonym: 內卷

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjTg1G8rpVc

realise

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they become aware of a situation and understand it so that they can learn from it and make a wise decision next time.

Usage: E.g. 你唔realise第一間既loss又點樣低價買入第二間? (If you don't realise the loss of your first house, then how can you buy the second one at a low price?)

Synonym: 意識;領悟;發覺

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3638415/page/8

really

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often overused by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong to strike a western impression, as they believe knowing the 'r' sound will make them superior.

Usage: E.g. Rrreally?可唔可以再講多次呀? E.g. 唔係嘛?Rrrreally?你話你D英文標準過我?

Synonym: 真的嗎; 真係

Reference: https://hk.news.yahoo.com/港式英文講過舉手-偽abc-語錄-2124292580433974.html

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