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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


822 results found

update

Definition: (adj.) Often pronounced as 'up-day', this is a code-mixing term used to describe someone or something as being very trendy or up-to-date. However, it is also sometimes used as a verb like in native English. Usage: E.g. 你部手機好update喎。(adj.) E.g. Update左個software未呀?(verb)Synonym: 潮; 更新Reference: https://www.inmediahk.net/中英夾雜

ride an ox to look for a horse

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe working for a job while looking for a better one. (騎牛搵馬 - ke4 ngau4 wan2 maa5) Usage: E.g. Look for a job first! You can always ride an ox while looking for a horse!Synonym: 騎牛搵馬Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

well

Definition: Often pronounced with a rising tone, this is a code-mixing term that is often overused by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong when they have trouble answering a question or want to avoid embarrassment. Usage: E.g. Well,呢個問題我要諗吓先再答你。 E.g. Well,其實你都講得有道理。Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/128449/你是否-偽abc-chill-中文意思係咩-10個港人常用錯英文字

buddha-type

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing term used to describe someone who is so calm and relaxed like the almighty Buddha such that he or she does not have time to chase the opposite sex, but focuses on work and personal interests only. Sometimes, it is also used to describe someone who does not get angry easily when things happened. Usage: E.g. Why don't you find a girlfriend? Are you the buddha-type person? E.g. *bump* That hurt when you bumped into me! But I'm okay, my friend!Synonym: 佛系Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/cantonese-slang-of-the-week-buddha-type

See you tomorrow

Definition: It's slang for when a person eats something and it's unsuccessfully digested. Resulting in the food being pooped out the next day still intact. Usage: I'll pass on corn or string mushrooms guys. I don't want a "see you tomorrow" situation happening tomorrow morning

weekend

Definition: A more modern and happy-sounding code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers use to refer to period at the end of a week where they like to enjoy it like a real holiday. Usage: E.g. 你哋會唔會weekend 兩日一夜去日本?(Would you go to Japan for two days and one night on the weekend?)Synonym: 週末Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3815081/page/1

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

bonus

Definition: A chic-sounding code-mixing term that refers to year-end bonus (花紅) in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 你間公司今個年尾有bonus嗎?Synonym: 花紅Reference: https://aclanthology.org/O09-5003.pdf

plan

Definition: A more positive-sounding code-mixing term compared to the same item (計劃) in Cantonese.  Often pronounced as 'pan'. Usage: E.g. 做D咩都要plan定先得架麻。 E.g. 做D咩都要計劃好先得架麻。(you may sound like a schemer in this one! XD)Reference: https://aclanthology.org/O09-5003.pdf

hesitate

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to having a brief pause before acting rather than being so indecisive and not knowing what to do. Usage: E.g. 我都覺小貴,所以hesitate緊。不過真係好靚。(I think it's a bit expensive so I am hesitating. But it's really beautiful.)Synonym: 猶豫Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3167329/page/27
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