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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 917 results

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/

double confirm

Definition: Even though the word 'double' may seem redundant, this is a code-mixing expression that is often used in the workplaces of Hong Kong when you want to verify something.

Usage: E.g. 可唔可以double confirm吓個schedule呀? E.g. 唔該幫我double confirm吓每一個detail呀。

Synonym: 雙重確認

Reference: https://smelab.com.hk/職場英語-double-confirm-reconfirm/

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/

queue

Definition: A code-mixing term used by a Jayden Mami as a more precise and technical way of referring to an ordered waiting line. Also, it is often complemented with the English word 'long' to exaggerate the lengthiness of a queue when scolding a child.

Usage: E.g. 講咗呢啲holiday就係咁多人queue,條queue就係咁long嘅,冇可能你自己乜嘢都玩晒㗎嘛,係咪呀Jayden?(I have already said these holidays should have so many people queuing up. The queue is just that long, do you know you cannot play everything yourself, right Jayden?)

Synonym: 隊;龍

Reference: https://topick.hket.com/article/4112744/Jayden之亂|KOL拍片諷刺「Jayden媽」偽ABC育兒法%E3%80%80揭爆紅現象時間線-港媽式教仔金句

preference

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to express a choice in something without stating their favour or to avoid sounding picky.

Usage: E.g. 我今晚既preference係食西餐,但係又唔代表我成日都鍾意。(My preference is western cuisine tonight, but that doesn't mean I like it all the time.)

Synonym: 偏愛; 偏好; 優先選擇

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3316788/page/27

goldfish man

Definition: Known as Kongish and originated from a story where a man used to lure children by promising to buy them goldfish, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to a paedophile. (金魚佬)

Usage: E.g. Stop buying me chocolate and lure me like a goldish man!

Synonym: 金魚佬

Reference: https://www.scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/486w/public/images/methode/2016/01/21/c10168a8-bff3-11e5-9503-d84cbca18933_486x.jpg?itok=sF-XAnJn

I don't really spend money

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by upper class Hong Kong girls who are really honest about how much money they spend.

Usage: E.g. 我需要啲咩啫,嚟嚟去去我咪又係食叉燒飯、意粉,I don't really spend money.(我根本唔花錢)對我嚟講無關係,我真係無嘢。(E.g. What do I really need? Wherever I go I just eat barbeque pork rice, pasta, I don't really spend money.(I don't spend money at all) Money doesn't matter to me, I really don't care.)

Synonym: 我根本唔花錢

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60359289/jw王灝兒分手後啞忍兩年-眼濕濕平反拜金論-我仲使乜入tvb拍劇?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01appshare

sync

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to whether people are on the same page of a situation or task.

Usage: E.g. 我覺得我地唔係好sync。可唔可以catch up一吓我地做既野?

Synonym: 同步

Reference: https://www.cw.com.tw/article/5114233

good question

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students when they want to pause and think how to answer a question, even though it doesn't necessarily imply their ignorance.

Usage: E.g. 唔識答就話that’s a very good question, 然後帶佢遊花園 (If you don't know how to answer, just say that's a very good question. Then beat around the bush.)

Synonym: 問得好

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2767347/page/3

best friend

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a friend who gets along with you very well, even though it does not always mean it is someone who you can have a deep talk with, unlike '老best' in Cantonese meaning old best friend.

Usage: E.g. 我同我“Best Friend”玩咗好多年,但實際上我從來都無同過佢講我嘅心事,心入面仲會成日妒忌佢,成日當佢係我競爭對手,究竟咁樣仲叫唔叫best friend 呢.... (E.g. I played with my "Best Friend" for years, but in fact I have never shared what is in my heart with him, and would often be jealous of him and treat him as my competitor Is that still called a best friend?)

Synonym: 最好朋友

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/705900/page/1

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