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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 744 results

unjoy

Definition: A code-mixing term that the Hong Kong celebrity '肥媽' like to use to refer to enjoying oneself on the stage by shaking along music or rhythm. Usage: E.g. 上到舞台一定要unjoy!

pick up

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that a Jayden Mami loves to use to refer to a more casual way of learning something rather than the formal way of acquiring skills and information. Usage: E.g. Jayden呀,有時間就去pick up English啦。你唔用既話會好快forget架。(Jayden, go and pick up English when you have time. If you don't use it, you will forget it.)Synonym: 學識; 練習Reference: https://hk.amazingtalker.com/questions/8407

Key

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used with “啱key”, which refers to whether you get along well with somebody. Explanation: like the key in a piece of music. Usage: Eg. 你同你朋友啱唔啱key呀?Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/啱key

chicken and duck talk

Definition: (idiom) Derived from '雞同鴨講', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe two people who are unable to understand each other due to a difference of language or values. In other words, the conversation just seems to go round and round with each person talking over each other. Usage: E.g. I think we will never understand each other because we work in different departments. What a chicken and duck talk!Synonym: 雞同鴨講Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-word-of-the-month-雞同鴨講-chicken-duck-talk/

seven head

Definition: Known as Kongish and derived from '柒頭' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe or scold someone who is stupid and brainless like a dickhead. (龜頭) Usage: E.g. You seven head go and collect skin! (你個柒頭去收皮啦!)Synonym: 柒頭Reference: https://www.topprint2000.com/online-shop/product/1131018/

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

dead air

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '冷場' (laang5 ceong4), which literally translates to 'cold scene'. Usage: E.g. 考口試最緊要唔好dead air。Synonym: 冷場Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

off

Definition: A more polite way of telling somebody to shut up or '收皮' in Cantonese, which means to pack their things up and leave. (Also see 'collect skin') Usage: E.g. Off啦你,成日咁多野講。E.g. Off啦你,成日搞搞陣冇幫襯。Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-收皮-collect-skin/

Oh my God

Definition: A tag-switching phrase overused by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong to create a western appeal. Usage: E.g. Oh my God!今日咁曬我都唔記得帶suncream呀! E.g. Oh my God!我從來都未買過件dress係咁靚架!Reference: https://travel.ulifestyle.com.hk/news/detail/12179/明明無r音都要捲舌-5大令人頂唔順的偽abc特徵/1

del

Definition: Pronounced as 'dee', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers to refer to using the 'delete' button on a keyboard to get rid of something when using the computer. Usage: E.g. Del左呢個paragraph,再加返個conclusion,然後再send比我啦。Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201902353/201902353_1.pdf
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