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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


196 results found

pineapple chicken

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who likes leeching off others. (菠羅雞 - bo1 lo4 gai1) Usage: E.g. That girl is such a pineapple chicken! She just comes every time for the benefits and does not share or contribute.Synonym: 菠羅雞Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/60017/

big head shrimp

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/

black son

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to being very unlucky or unfortunate. (黑仔) Usage: E.g. Today I forgot to bring my homework and give teacher scold. Very black son! (好黑仔)Synonym: 黑仔Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

cleansing foam

Definition: Pronounced as 'cleansing form', this is a code-mixing term used by celebrity Janice Man to refer to the facial treatment item 'cleansing foam'. Usage: E.g. 我通常眼同埋嘴就用左油既,即係remover,oil remover去落左先,跟住就會全面再用呢一個cleansing water再全面抺一次,跟住先至用落裝油全面再洗一次,再用cleansing form全面就再落裝咁樣。咁所以其實都有四五個step囉。Reference: https://medium.com/@girlslearnenglish/你說話會中英夾雜嗎-被-污名化-的中英夾雜-why-code-mixing-is-totally-fine-32eb1f280ca

MTR

Definition: Pronounced as 'm-tee-ah-lo', this is a code-mixing term used by the grassroot class Hong Kongers to refer to the train station. Usage: E.g. Foreigner: Excuse me, where is the MTR? HK'er: What? Foreigner: Where is the 'm-tee-ah-lo'? HK'er: Oh I understand! 'm-tee-ah-lo' is over there!Synonym: 港鐵

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

day off

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by working class Hong Kongers when they want to sound less intentional about applying for leave. Usage: E.g. 記住我聽日day off,有D咩事唔好搵我。(Remember I am taking a day off tomorrow. Please don't bother me if there is anything.)Synonym: 請假; 放假Reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/Cantonese/comments/1g1dmdg/請問_香港_係講_工作天_唔講工作日/

Jayden mania

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to a set of viral videos created by two Hong Kong KOL Matthew (matthewpwj_) and Janice (janicewanwan), where typical Hong Kong modern mothers are being imitated and mocked by their Cantonese-English code-mixing conversation style that is supposedly awkward. Even though "Jayden" is taken as a popular name for boys in Hong Kong, other names such as Eunice, Benson, Hailey and many more are used. Usage: E.g. Jayden, Mommy told you not to play all day. Have you done your homework?Synonym: Jayden之亂Reference: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/social-buzz/article/329055/Jayden-mania-How-a-viral-meme-mocking-Hong-Kong-parenting-is-sweeping-the-internet

sldpk

Definition: (textspeak, vulgar) A code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers when they laugh so f***ing hard that they could literally or figuratively trip and fall on the street. Sometimes, the acronym be translated into different versions in order to act like euphemism for a swear word phrase. Usage: E.g. sldpk (少年的拼勁) (Hong Kong artist Lam Ka-hin used “sldpk” in a post on his social media, justifying his usage with a Cantonese word pun to refer to the swear word phrase indirectly.)Synonym: 笑撚到仆街; 少年的拼勁; 成龍打保錡Reference: https://tyr-jour.hkbu.edu.hk/2024/12/15/canto-slang-connects-gen-zers-in-hong-kong/

Mommy told you

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by Hong Kong KOL Janice (janicewanwan) who is known for playing "Jayden’s mother" to emphasize the correctness of her teachings as a typical modern mom, which she says must be correct. Usage: E.g. 中英夾雜有助 children 盡快 pick up English。Mommy told you 嘅一定是 correct 的. (Chinese-English code-mixing aids children in picking up English more quickly. Whatever Mommy told you must be correct.)Synonym: 媽媽告訴你Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60339385/jayden之亂-中英夾雜潮文橫掃社交平台-諷刺港媽真實育兒方式?utm_campaign=native&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01webshare#google_vignette
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