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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


656 results found

proper

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to describe people with high standards of social, moral and ethical behaviour which covers everything from the way they look, dress, and talk.

Usage: E.g. 我覺得呢個行業既人都係好proper。(I think everybody in this industry are so proper.)

Synonym: 規矩, 正當, 得體

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/4012349/page/1

protect

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kong girls to refer to proactively keeping someone safe from damage or injury, which is usually something that they expect from a boyfriend.

Usage: E.g. 如果連我自己都唔為自己去解釋一下,咁邊個去protect我?邊個幫我解釋?冇。(If even I myself don't stand up for myself, who is going to protect me? Who will help me explain to others? No one.)

Synonym: 保護

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60359628/jw王灝兒揭與破產前度葉韋彤分手真相-直言-佢做咗對唔住我嘅事?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01appshare

proud of

Definition: A code-mixing term used by a Jayden Mami to express admiration and honour towards a child without sounding too arrogant, self-important or dramatic as the Cantonese equivalent terms denote.

Usage: E.g. Jayden呀,你今次考試一百分呀?Mami好proud of你呀。(Jayden, you got 100 marks in this exam? Mami is so proud of you!)

Synonym: 驕傲;以你為榮;自豪

Reference: https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/32423/does-the-usage-of-the-word-proud-骄傲-自豪-or-而荣-in-chinese-differ-from-that-i

proud of

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers when they want to show how pleased they are towards someone’s achievements, but want to sound less show-off or exaggerated about their feeling.

Usage: E.g. 你考試咁高分,我好proud of你呀。(You scored so high in the exam. I am so proud of you.)

Synonym: 驕傲,自豪

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@grace_interest_english/post/DDthgzMyHsU

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

put away your phone

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by a Jayden Mami to order their children to put away their phones authoritatively.

Usage: E.g. Jayden,媽咪 told you 㗎,講咗唔好睇咁耐 phone 呀,你對 eye 會好 tired 㗎!快啲 put away your phone,過嚟 finish 咗你份 homework 佢!(Jayden, Mami told you not to look at your phone for too long, or else your eyes will be very tired! Put away your phone quickly and come here to finish your homework!)

Synonym: 收埋你個電話

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXEBuVCDlpu/ (use mobile version)

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

qualie

Definition: Pronounced as 'call-lee' with a rising tone on the second syllable, this code-mixing term is used by native Hong Kongers to refer to the English word 'qualification'. Often used together with the word 'show' to mean 'show off'.

Usage: E.g. 你冇qualie就唔好係到扮哂野啦。 E.g. 你唔好係到掛住show qualie啦,兄弟。 E.g. 睇唔出你咁有qualie喎。

queue

Definition: A code-mixing term used by a Jayden Mami as a more precise and technical way of referring to an ordered waiting line. Also, it is often complemented with the English word 'long' to exaggerate the lengthiness of a queue when scolding a child.

Usage: E.g. 講咗呢啲holiday就係咁多人queue,條queue就係咁long嘅,冇可能你自己乜嘢都玩晒㗎嘛,係咪呀Jayden?(I have already said these holidays should have so many people queuing up. The queue is just that long, do you know you cannot play everything yourself, right Jayden?)

Synonym: 隊;龍

Reference: https://topick.hket.com/article/4112744/Jayden之亂|KOL拍片諷刺「Jayden媽」偽ABC育兒法%E3%80%80揭爆紅現象時間線-港媽式教仔金句

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/

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