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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 744 results

mai daan

Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to ask the waiter to get the bill. Usage: E.g. Mai daan, mm goi! (埋單, 唔該!)Synonym: 埋單Reference: https://homekong.com.hk/blogs/read/helpful-cantonese-phrases-to-know

three does not know seven

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who does not know anyone. Originated from a game similar to Rummikub where pulling cards should add up to nine, but not over. Otherwise, the player will lose the game. Usage: E.g. I have never been to this event before! Everyone was like 'three does not know seven'!Synonym: 三唔識七Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms

pattern

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers like to use instead of '圖案'. Usage: E.g. 件衫個pattern幾靚喎。喺邊到買架? E.g. 同學:喂,你覺得每次D MC題目會有咩pattern呀?Synonym: 圖案

for some reason

Definition: A useful alternative if your boss is tired of hearing the word 'somehow' when you want to avoid saying 'I don't know' to a question. Usage: E.g. For some reason個file corrupt左。 E.g. For some reason個printer壞左。 E.g. For some reason今次個客唔搵我地。

printer

Definition: Often pronounced without the 'r' sounds and with a rising tone on the second syllable, this is an a lot more linguistically efficient way of referring to printer (打印機)in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 內地人:個打印機喺邊呀? 香港人:咩話?三個字咁累贅。叫返printer啦唔該。Synonym: 打印機Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf

do

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to gestures and customs that an employee must do or learn when they work in a company. Usage: E.g. 老細黎到仲唔識DO? 快D讓座同沖杯咖啡比佢啦! E.g. 打工仔要識DO先得,如果咪好快冇得撈。Synonym: 做Reference: https://www.etnet.com.hk/www/tc/lifestyle/archive/goodjob/23372

AA

Definition: Often used as 'AA制' (policy), this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to paying for yourself at a meal. (Also known as 'going Dutch' in English) Usage: E.g. 今餐AA制得唔得呀?Synonym: 食自己, 自己比

wat gei

Definition: Known as Kongish and having the literal meaning of 'bend machine', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to having overly powerful ability to do something. Usage: E.g. You must be wat gei in this game because you practice all the time!Synonym: 屈機Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-cantonese-slang-internet

foodie

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers that refers to a person who loves food and likes to try different kinds of food. However, it is often used as a term similar to the level of a gourmet even though the person may not be a food expert. Usage: E.g. 而家啲ig foodie以為自己真係食評家。(Nowadays the foodies on IG really think they are real gourmets.)Synonym: 美食愛好者Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2093295/page/1

G

Definition: Originated from ‘gg’ meaning ‘game over' and often transliterated as the loan word ‘豬‘ meaning pig, this is a code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use to describe situations where they have lost or think they already lost. Even though ‘豬‘ has a similar sound as 'g', this is not to be mistakened as a mispronunication as a pig represents stupidity in Cantonese and fits the context and meaning entirely. Usage: E.g. 今次對手咁勁,真係豬喇喎。(Our opponents are so powerful this time, it's really game over.) E.g. 今次考試豬左。(My exam results is game over.)Synonym: 豬, 完了,GGReference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3388417/page/1
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