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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 701 results

fit

Definition: Often pronounced with a long vowel 'feet', this is a code-mixing term that is more appropriate to use when describing someone in good shape. Usage: E.g. 男仔:哇,你身材幾好喎。女仔:咸濕仔! E.g. 男仔:哇,你身材好標準喎。女仔:死咸濕仔! E.g. 男仔:哇,你好fit喎。女仔:多謝。

signature

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers like to use to refer to a distinctive characteristic by which someone or something can be identified. Usage: E.g. 中英夾雜絕對係香港人signature。 E.g. 呢碟菜就係呢間餐廳既signature。Synonym: 標誌,招牌菜Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ

yau lok

Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to call the minibus driver to stop at the next bus stop. (有落) Usage: E.g. Mm goi yau lok! (唔該,有落)Synonym: 有落

mm ho yi si

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use when they want to apologise politely for something. Usage: E.g. *Holding up a queue* Mm ho yi si. E.g. *Butts into a conversation* Mm ho yi si. Where is the MTR?Synonym: 唔好意思Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know

well-received

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by grassroots Hong Kongers when they want to express gratitude for something they have received, such as an email with an attachment. However, the working class Hong Kongers realise that this is probably not such a suitable term for them to use so they say 'Noted/Received with thanks'. Usage: E.g. Well-received with thanks. Synonym: 收到Reference: https://graduate.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/35656/電郵技巧|商用電郵|職場英語-10個打工仔常犯的英文email錯誤-please-kindly-well-received-with-thanks-都係錯-內附正確寫法

Best

Definition: Often expressed as ‘老best’ meaning 'old best', this is a code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers to refer to a best friend that a person has known for a long time. (呢個好大部分時候係攞嚟應用自己啲friend呀樣表達自己個friend係好老友囉咁樣) Usage: E.g. 你哋睇下呢個係我老best。(Let me show all of you. This is my old best friend.)Synonym: 睇下呢個係我個好朋友, 老友, old best friendReference: https://mingpaomonthly.com/article/details/語文.書話/2025-02/1737624129007/老best、bestie有咩分別?%20(歐陽偉豪)

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
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who does not show gratitude to those who helped him/her after a goal is reached. Usage: E.g. I have helped you reach your goal and you complete forget about me? So does that mean you finished the ritual and ditch the monk?Synonym: 打完齋唔要和尚Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/打完齋唔要和尚

check

Definition: (verb) A more suitable term for the Cantonese equivalent word '檢查', which sounds too formal and serious, like doing a body check. Usage: E.g. 同我check吓份文件好嗎?Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

finish

Definition: Often added with a ‘咗’ like the ‘-ed’ form in English for past tense, this is a code-mixing term that is used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to having completed something, such as an event or project. Usage: E.g. 你地finish咗個project未呀? E.g. 終於finish咗個event!Synonym: 完成Reference: https://www.businesstimes.com.hk/articles/157451/創新科技獎學金2024-挑選25位傑出大學生-每人最高15萬港元獎學金/
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