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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 744 results

cool

Definition: A code-mixing term used to mean fashionable and attractive.  However, it can also refer to being snobby sometimes. Usage: E.g. 哇,你載左太陽眼鏡好cool呀。 E.g. 唔好成日係到扮cool啦。你以為你自己好型咩?Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk

dik hon

Definition: (textspeak) Derived from comic book characters having a large drop of sweat on their forehead or hair, this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to feeling speechless and reticent. Dik hon (滴汗) has the literal meaning of 'drip sweat'. Usage: E.g. Your joke is so lame! Dik hon!Synonym: 滴汗

proper

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to describe people with high standards of social, moral and ethical behaviour which covers everything from the way they look, dress, and talk. Usage: E.g. 我覺得呢個行業既人都係好proper。(I think everybody in this industry are so proper.)Synonym: 規矩, 正當, 得體Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/4012349/page/1

camel

Definition: Pronounced as 'cam-mell' and criticised as Fake ABC English, this is a code-mixing term used by celebrity Janice man to refer to the animal 'camel'. Usage: E.g. 其實我自己好鍾意cam-mell色既,真係好似D駱駝色既,有少少泥色既。Reference: https://medium.com/@girlslearnenglish/你說話會中英夾雜嗎-被-污名化-的中英夾雜-why-code-mixing-is-totally-fine-32eb1f280ca

actually

Definition: Often overused by Fake ABCs in Hong Kong for creating a western appeal, especially when they lack English vocabulary. Usage: E.g. Actually,我都要D時間諗下先。我過兩日再覆你。 E.g. 朋友:我地係咪約好左聽日去睇戲呀?你:Actually,我聽日唔得閒。 E.g. Actually,你講既野都有D道理。不過我唔同意。 Synonym: 其實

bend machine

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers to describe having an overly powerful ability to do something, such as winning a game. Usage: E.g. I can't believe you are winning every game! Are you bending machine?!Synonym: 屈機Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-cantonese-slang-internet

Last day

Definition: This is a code-mixing phrase commonly used to replace 最後一日 when the last day of activity is reached. Usage: E.g. 今日係唔係last day?Synonym: 最後一日

lift

Definition: Pronounced as 'leeb' (long vowel), this is an a lot more linguistically efficient way of referring to '升降機' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 等陣呀。我兒家搭緊lift上黎。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

training

Definition: A code-mixing term that is more appropriate to use than the equivalent term (培訓)in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 你新黎既話,公司係會有training比你。 E.g. A:我今晚要培訓呀。B:吓?你陪邊個呀?!(陪訓)Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk

communication gap

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to illustrate the distance between two parties in terms of their communication, which is often due to their difference in job positions or departments in a company. Sometimes, it may be caused by forgeting to say "double confirm", which is a common phrase used by Hong Kongers at workplace to really make sure that certain information is correct. Usage: E.g. 其實呢啲communication gap 大家可以做好D減少誤會,寫多兩句confirm is better。(As for these communication gaps, it is better for us all to try and minimise misunderstandings by saying 'confirm' more.)Synonym: 溝通差距Reference: https://www.threads.com/@purpzc/post/C-l0fNJyiZM?hl=en
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