Define Your Term | Login
What is code-mixing? | Mission | About | Learn More | Lecture Slides
English | Chinese

Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 622 results

add oil

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that Hong Kongers use to cheer for somebody else as encouragement or support when they are bored of the equivalent term '加油' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. Add oil! 希望你今次考試高分!Synonym: 加油

gimmick

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to '噱頭'. Usage: E.g. 你有沒有留意樓下那家coffee shop最近常做promotion,我覺得滿有gimmickSynonym: 噱頭Reference: https://hk.news.yahoo.com/港人中英夾雜有規律-網友-太神奇-020000181.html

sor

Definition: A shortened form of 'sorry' that is often used by Hong Kongers. Usage: E.g. Sor,唔小心踩到你。 E.g. *碰到人* Sor,sor,sor。Synonym: Sorry, 對唔住

mother school

Definition: Derived from '母校', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to a school that a person has graduated from. ie. Alma mater. Usage: Well I’m a Catholic. I believe in what I have been taught when I was in my mother secondary school, Wah Yan Kowloon.Synonym: 母校Reference: https://www.inmediahk.net/node/政經/李家超透露是天主教徒-感謝「mother-secondary-school」教誨

unjoy

Definition: A code-mixing term that the Hong Kong celebrity '肥媽' like to use to refer to enjoying oneself on the stage by shaking along music or rhythm. Usage: E.g. 上到舞台一定要unjoy!

poisonous guy

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to someone who is extremely introverted and prefers being alone all the time. Usage: E.g. Get yourself out and meet some people! Stop being such a poisonous guy!Synonym: 毒男Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-quick-lesson-must-know-hong-kong-slang

9up

Definition: (textspeak) Derived from '狗噏' meaning 'dog uttering', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to talking non-sense, like bullsh*t. It is also often pronounced as '鳩噏' as a vulgar expression. Usage: E.g. Stop 9up and bragging about your achievements all the time! (唔好成日喺到鳩噏車大炮啦!)Synonym: 狗噏, 鳩噏Reference: https://evchk.fandom.com/zh/wiki/9up

post

Definition: A more informal and linguistically efficient way of saying the Cantonese equivalent term '上傳'. Often pronounced as 'po' instead of 'post'. Usage: E.g. 喂,你今次po張相好鬼靚喎。

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

lie flat

Definition: Derived from the Chinese internet slang '躺平', this is an Englishised code-mixing term used to describe a lifestyle of doing as little as possible, due to knowing that there is a 'rat race' going on where everyone is competing for jobs such that it is almost impossible to keep up with the societal pressure. Usage: E.g. This exam is so difficult! I am lying flat! E.g. I am not lying flat! I must continue to find a better job!Synonym: 躺平Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-internet-and-texting-slang-to-use-right-now