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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 822 results

binder

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that is used instead of the Cantonese equivalent '大文件夾' to refer to a large-sized folder for keeping documents. Usage: E.g. 如果folder唔夠大,搵個binder再放哂D文件入去。Synonym: 大文件夾

topic

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a subject matter that is less socially loaded, people-oriented or even gossipy. Usage: E.g. 成日都講人是非,可唔可以轉topic?(The conversation is always gossiping about others. Can we change the topic?)Synonym: 話題Reference: https://spencerlam.hk/blog/2022/02/01/group-discussion技巧/

mother school

Definition: Derived from '母校', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to a school that a person has graduated from. ie. Alma mater. Usage: Well I’m a Catholic. I believe in what I have been taught when I was in my mother secondary school, Wah Yan Kowloon.Synonym: 母校Reference: https://www.inmediahk.net/node/政經/李家超透露是天主教徒-感謝「mother-secondary-school」教誨

afford

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to having enough money to buy something without indicating one's ability to cope with such burden. Usage: E.g. 點解要鍾意自己 afford 唔起嘅 luxury? (Why love luxury that you can't afford?)Synonym: 負擔得起; 買得起Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DP3vop4Epm7/ (use mobile version)

spin

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term that refers to describing a matter as something else, especially in politics. Usage: E.g. 鍾培生:阿林作好鍾意將件事spin到同政治有關。

give you some color see see

Definition: A euphemistic way of saying to somebody that you want to teach them a lesson or show them what you've got. (比D顏色你睇) Usage: E.g. 咁寸?! Let me give you some color see see!Synonym: 比D顏色你睇

upgrade

Definition: A code-mixing term meaning to further oneself's studies. Usage: E.g. 做人要不斷upgrade自己先夠充實架嘛。

ferragamo

Definition: A code-mixing term used by the upper class Hong Kongers to refer to the Italian luxury brand. However, the grassroots Hong Kongers pronounce it as '飛甩雞毛', which means the chicken dropping its feathers. Usage: E.g. A:你著緊咩牌子?飛甩雞毛?B:係Ferragamo呀。Synonym: 飛甩雞毛

worse

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often misused by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong to refer to something of bad quality. Usage: E.g. 個湯凍嘅,真係好worse囉。Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/128449/你是否-偽abc-chill-中文意思係咩-10個港人常用錯英文字

O mouth

Definition: Derived from 'O嘴', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to feeling surprised and astonished to the point where your mouth literally opens in an O shape. Usage: E.g. I was O mouth to see the football match turned around! (今次場波反敗為勝,真睇到我O哂嘴。)Synonym: O嘴Reference: https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/lifestyle/features/article/3096419/learn-cantonese-slang-many-faces-hongkongers
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