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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 701 results

I can't believe it

Definition: A tag-switching phrase that is often overused by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong. Usage: E.g. I can't believe it!呢隻牌子你唔係未聽過嗎? E.g. Oh my God! 你唔係未去過呢間餐廳嘛?I can't believe it!Reference: https://topick.hket.com/article/555250/偽ABC扮唔識中文%20網民揶揄造作

shuttle

Definition: Often said without a 'bus', this is a chique sounding code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to a vehicle that has more specific and direct route to a destination. However, the Cantonese equivalent '穿梭巴士' may be used more often during holiday as it may sound more enjoyable and less 'chur' to ride on. Usage: E.g. 我每日返工都有得搭shuttle,好快就到公司。 (I can take the shuttle to work every day and get to to office very fast.)Synonym: 穿梭巴士,接駁巴士Reference: https://www.weekendhk.com/網絡熱話/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-香港人-ctb02-by-1413297/2/

down

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to computer that has become unavailable, possibly due to a crash.  Sometimes, it is used as the shortened version of 'download'. Usage: E.g. 大獲喇!公司server down機呀!快D搵人整呀!(當機) E.g. Down完個file未呀?咁耐既?(下載)Reference: https://www.studocu.com/hk/document/city-university-of-hong-kong/world-englishes/lecture-3-city-university-of-hong-kongen5714-world-englishes-and-the-social-context-of/20063922

approach

Definition: A code-mixing term that overseas educated Hong Kongers use to refer the way in which a person can start a conversation with someone, especially for the purpose of drawing nearer to them in relationship or distance. Usage: E.g. 到底可以點approach男仔? (How on earth can I approach boys?)Synonym: 靠近Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/546513/page/13

chok

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to pulling a face that looks pretentious in order to look cool. Usage: E.g. 林峯:你睇吓我個樣夠唔夠chok?!Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-hea-chok-chur/

psycho

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong students use to refer to the subject 'psychology'. Usage: E.g. 讀psycho難唔難呀?聽講今年有好多人肥左。Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf

hurt

Definition: (adj.) An irreplaceable code-mixing term used to describe an unhappy state, especially when a person has been devastated by someone. Usage: E.g. 喂,你知唔知人地係會好hurt架? E.g. 喂,你咁講野人地係會好hurt架。 E.g. 點都好,你應該唔好hurt到人先岩。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

pro

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term for 'professional'. (adjective) Usage: E.g. 哇,你打tennis好pro呀。可以叫你一聲大佬嗎? E.g. 耳機都買到咁靚?洗唔洗咁pro呀?

gong for

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing term meaning homework, which only Hong Kong local students can understand. Usage: E.g. Jo jor gong for mei ar? (做左功課未呀?) E.g. Nei mong gong for meh? (你忙功課咩?) E.g. Jo sai d gong for la! (做晒D功課喇!)Synonym: 功課Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/2019/11/16/the-use-of-transliteration-in-kongish/

level

Definition: Often used as '升le' (呢), this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to having made an advancement in something. (升級) Usage: E.g. 哇!今次考試表現好左好多喎。簡直係升呢呀!Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html
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