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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


617 results found

sh*t

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong celebrity Louis Koo (古天樂) in the TVB episode 'A Step into the Past' (尋秦記) when he was transported into the past to the days of Qin Dynasty. Usage: E.g. *Wakes up and finds an army of horsemen rushing towards him* Sh*t!Synonym: 弊, 死喇Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edrNB8DXhmQ

all day breakfast

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that upper class Hong Kongers use to refer to the breakfast set that is served all day long, but don't actually eat that often except during breakfast hours. Usage: E.g. 食all day breakfast? 唔好喇掛,就黎六點,食返晚餐好過啦。(Eat all day breakfast? I don't think so since it's about 6 o'clock. I think it's better to eat dinner.)Synonym: 全日早餐Reference: https://www.hk01.com/教煮/93368/all-day-breakfast-麵包雞蛋炸薯花款多-一張圖鑒辨清楚

research

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers use to emphasize how much paper work needs to be done when conducting studies of a subject, rather than just merely studying as the Cantonese equivalent '研究' denotes. Usage: E.g. 我兒家part-time喺大學做research,好忙架。(I am now part-time doing research at university, very busy.)Synonym: 研究Reference: https://www.threads.com/@146snk/post/DKQjVZnhSNU/香港嘅bachelor訓練根本就冇乜預你去做research所以根本唔會教你點申請mphilphd-點樣寫research-proposal-點樣approac

gossip

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers which is a more generic and less vivid way of calling someone who is too preoccupied with talking about other people’s lives. Usage: E.g. 唔好成日掛住gossip,專注啲做野啦!(Stop gossipping all the time and focus on your work!)Synonym: 諸事八卦, 閒言閒語, 講是非Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2683169/page/1

meme

Definition: Often pronounced as ‘mee-mee’ with a falling intonation, this is a code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to an idea, image or video that is spread quickly on the internet. Usage: E.g. 有冇人覺得香港人整啲meme好撚尷尬???(Does anyone think the memes made by Hong Kong people are so f***ing awkward?)Synonym: 迷因圖, 咪咪Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2213202/page/18

Nei g ng ng ngo kong mut?

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing phrase used by local student Hong Kongers when they want to ask whether someone understands what they are talking about. Usage: E.g. Nei g ng g ngo kong mut? (Do you know what I am saying?)Synonym: 你知唔知我講乜?Reference: https://www.socialcareer.org/blogs/do-you-really-know-cantonese

New Year’s Eve

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers who really miss hearing the word Eve from Christmas Eve so much that they wished Christmas could prolong to the new year. Usage: E.g. New Year’s Eve你會同朋友交換禮物嗎?B: 吓,唔係聖誕節先會交換禮物咩?!(Will you exchange gifts with friends on New Year's Eve? B: What? Don't people exchange gifts during Christmas instead?)Synonym: 除夕Reference: https://www.hk01.com/知性女生/60307715/除夕倒數2026-10大倒數好去處-迪士尼煙花-西九音樂會-倒數派對

look forward

Definition: Originated from business emails and often said without a ‘to’ at the end, this is a code-mixing phrase that working class Hong Kongers would use in non-business settings when they really anticipate the happening of an event. Usage: E.g. 我好look forward今餐會食咩。(I really look forward to what I will be eating for this meal.) E.g. 我好look forward今次既足球比賽。(I really look forward to this football match.)Synonym: 期待Reference: https://graduate.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/42024/lookforwardto點用-後面動詞需要加ing-與lookingforwardto有甚差別-用法-例句

judgment

Definition: Often associated with negative connotations, this is a code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to show their ability to form valuable opinions after thorough thought, like a lawyer in a court case. Usage: E.g. 第一次認識人唔好咁快pass judgment啦!(Don't pass judgment so quickly upon knowing a person for the first time!) E.g. 我希望你會接受我既judgment。(I hope you will accept my judgment.)Synonym: 判斷Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/1787326/page/1

Merry Christmas

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers prefer to use to accompany Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus because they can experience the happiness first with ‘merry’ compared to the Cantonese equivalent ’聖誕節快樂‘ where the happiness '快樂‘ is placed after Christmas. Usage: E.g. 聖誕節又黎喇!Merry Christmas! (Christmas is coming! Merry Christmas!)Synonym: 聖誕節快樂, 聖誕快樂Reference: https://www.weekendhk.com/香港好去處/聖誕好去處-商場-打卡-飄雪-3275849/