167 results found
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone being forgetful and careless, such as forgetting their keys or where they put their phone. (大頭蝦 - daai6 tau4 haa1)
Usage: E.g. A: You forgot to bring your wallet? Such a big head shrimp!Synonym: 大頭蝦Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-大頭蝦-big-head-prawn-language-hong-kong/
Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to a year where one’s Chinese zodiac offends or clashes with the God of Tai Sui, which means the fortune of the year will not be as smooth as others.
Usage: I was born in the year of the snake and I am fan tai sui this year! Let’s go to the temple to pray for protection and peace!Synonym: 犯太歲Reference: https://chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/tai-sui/
Definition: A code-mixing term used by real ABCs in Hong Kong to refer to an Asian who speaks English. Ie. Yellow on the outside and white on the inside. （香蕉）
Usage: E.g. I am not a banana! I know how to speak Chinese!Synonym: 香蕉
Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to someone who is silly and stupid. ie. An imbecile.
Usage: E.g. 唔好成日咁KAI喺到亂咁嗌啦！你係低能定係白痴架？！
E.g. Don't be so kai yelling all the time! Are you low b or an idiot?
Definition: Often said with a rising intonation on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Konger badminton coaches like to use to refer to the exact point in time of something because the Cantonese equivalent ‘時機’ somehow sounds less accurate.
Usage: E.g. 描準個ball，睇好個timing打落去，咁先得架嘛。(Aim at the ball, watch for the right timing and hit it. You got it?)Synonym: 時機
Definition: Often pronounced without the 'd', this is a neutral-sounding code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they are not sure which Cantonese equivalent word to use when something unexpected happens.
Usage: E.g. 哇，你考試咁高分，我好surprised呀。(Wow, you scored a high mark in your exam. I'm so surprised.)
E.g. 哇，你最近減肥呀？我好surprised呀。 (Wow, you went on a diet recently? I'm so surprised.)
E.g. 哇，你有男朋友？我好surprised呀。(Wow, you got a boyfriend? I'm so surprised.)Synonym: 驚喜，驚訝Reference: https://tsangyoksing.hk/2009/10/06/輕音節的正確讀法/
Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong parents when they want to train their kids to be more well-behaved and organised without sounding so harsh and verbose.
Usage: E.g. 你今次考試考到咁低分。以後要discipline啲去溫書，知唔知？！(You got such a low mark in the exam this time. From now on, you should have more discipline to study, understand?)Synonym: 有紀律
