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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


246 results found

no comment

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that working class Hong Kongers often use as a response to something they don't know an answer to. Usage: E.g. Q: 返工最撚憎聽到咩口頭蟬?A: No Comment 唔係開會/回覆其他部門啲 email. 係同 team 同事有嘢唔識走嚟問你意見,答乜撚嘢 No Comment (Q: What is a catchphrase that you hate hearing the most at work? A: "No comment". But not when it is used in meetings or replying other department's email. It is when a colleague in your team doesn't know something and asks for your opinion, you reply with "No comment". XDXDXD)Synonym: 冇意見Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2692508/page/3

feel

Definition: (noun) A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe an experience as pleasurable. However, it can also be used to refer to having romantic feelings towards a person. Usage: E.g. 呢間bar好有feel。(This bar has a good vibe.) E.g. 唔好意思,我對你冇feel。(Sorry, but I don’t have any feelings for you.)Synonym: 感覺; 氣氛; 心情Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNvk8qHZBN-/ (use mobile version)

à la carte

Definition: Originated from French, this is a code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to ordering single dishes individually. Usage: E.g. 如果你唔鍾意叫set dinner,你可以叫 à la carte。(If you don't like to order the set dinner, you can order single dishes.)Synonym: 單點; 散嗌; 散叫Reference: http://paper.wenweipo.com/2011/12/21/ED1112210026.htm

guarantee

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer more specifically to the legal promises made by a company, especially in a contract or agreement. Usage: E.g. bonus guarantee 有3個月?有d 公司好仆街係咪都話生意唔好減咁d 架wor (Is it guaranteed to have 3 months of bonus? Some companies are really an epic fail and say their business is not doing good then lower your salary.)Synonym: 保證Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2863234/page/3

clarify

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers when they want to make something clear or to seek clarification from another person. Usage: E.g. 我想clarify一吓呢個task係做咩。(I want to clarify what is to be done in this task.) E.g. 我想clarify一吓,係唔係九點開會?(Just to clarify, are we having a meeting at 9 o'clock?)Synonym: 澄清; 釐清; 講清楚; 問清楚Reference: https://hk.amazingtalker.com/questions/7500

sales

Definition: Often added with a '屎' (faeces), this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a salesperson. Usage: E.g. A: 點解好多人唔識分sale 同sell 呢2個字 B: 我諗係因為sales sale屎sell屎sale野sell野. (A: Why do so many people cannot differentiate between sale and sell? B: I think it is because sales sell sh*t and sale thing sell thing.)Synonym: sale屎Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3146390/page/1

enjoy

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to taking pleasure from doing something. Sometimes, it can also be used intransitively as a verb to describe a state of mind where one is having a good time. Usage: E.g. 每次暴雨或者打風,唔知點解我都好enjoy。(Whenever there is heavy rain or typhoon, I don't know why I really enjoy it.)Synonym: 享受Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3973322/page/1

open-minded

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to describe being receptive to new ideas but not to the point of so expansive by opening boundaries. Usage: E.g. 我係一個open-minded既人,但係唔代表我內裡open。(I am an open-minded person, but that doesn't mean I am open on the inside. XD)Synonym: 思想開放; 開明Reference: https://hinative.com/questions/26265836

preference

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to express a choice in something without stating their favour or to avoid sounding picky. Usage: E.g. 我今晚既preference係食西餐,但係又唔代表我成日都鍾意。(My preference is western cuisine tonight, but that doesn't mean I like it all the time.)Synonym: 偏愛; 偏好; 優先選擇Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3316788/page/27

insight

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers when they want to ask for a deeper analytical understanding of something. Usage: E.g. 你睇完本書有咩insight? (What insights do you have after reading the book?)Synonym: 見解; 睇法Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/202301935/202301935_1.pdf
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