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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 822 results

cls

Definition: (textspeak, vulgar) A Kongish code-mixing term derived from '痴撚線', which is used to describe someone who has gone crazy or insane. (Also see 'chi sin'.) Usage: E.g. CLS公司俾得果幾千蚊人工仲要人日日OT..Synonym: 痴撚線Reference: https://hkdic.my-helper.com/CLS/

sldpk

Definition: (textspeak, vulgar) A code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers when they laugh so f***ing hard that they could literally or figuratively trip and fall on the street. Sometimes, the acronym be translated into different versions in order to act like euphemism for a swear word phrase. Usage: E.g. sldpk (少年的拼勁) (Hong Kong artist Lam Ka-hin used “sldpk” in a post on his social media, justifying his usage with a Cantonese word pun to refer to the swear word phrase indirectly.)Synonym: 笑撚到仆街; 少年的拼勁; 成龍打保錡Reference: https://tyr-jour.hkbu.edu.hk/2024/12/15/canto-slang-connects-gen-zers-in-hong-kong/

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

fresh carrot skin

Definition: Originated from the olden days where the upper class loved to wear old sheepskin of high quality, this is a Kongish code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to describe someone who has low social status and tries to mimick the upper class by wearing cheap quality clothing that matches the appearance of expensive clothing. ie. The white colour and look of fresh carrot skin resembles the look of old sheepskin. Usage: E.g. You think you are so high class? What kind of fresh carrot skin are you?Synonym: 新鮮蘿蔔皮Reference: https://voltra.academy/blog/canton2

figure out

Definition: This is a code-mixing phrase that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '諗到' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 我暫時仲未figure out到點樣solve個problem。Reference: https://english.cool/code-switching/

call

Definition: This is an lot more linguistically efficient way of saying the Cantonese equivalent '打電話', which has 3 long syllables. Usage: E.g. 可以兒家call你嗎? E.g. 我尋日call爆你機都唔聽。你去左邊呀?Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk

reference check

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to the process of finding an employee's former colleagues or managers to verify their job history, which can sometimes be very tedious. Usage: E.g. 我就唔驚reference check去check我過去表現,但要我搵人做reference check 就好煩,尤其係個HR係咁催我交人 (I am not afraid of reference checks that check my past job performance, but asking me to find someone to do the reference check is very annoying, especially if the HR is urging me to hand over the person.)Synonym: 資歷查核Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3576674/page/1

firm

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to describe something or someone being reliable, awesome or decent. Usage: E.g. 呢間canteen好firm。(This canteen is reliable and decent.) E.g. A: 你今次成績點呀?B: 超Firm呀,一定勁高分!(A: How is your exam result? B: Super awesome, certainly very high marks!)Synonym: 掂, 穩陣Reference: https://www.elle.com.hk/life/popular-slangs

yeet hay

Definition: With a literal meaning of 'hot air', this is a romanised code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to having overheat from eating too much spicy or fried foods, leading to pimples and freckles growing on your face or even buttocks. Also, yeet hay seems to only exist in Chinese medicine but not western medicine according to native Hong Kongers. Usage: E.g. A: Do you want to eat barbeque? B: No thanks, I am very yeet hay recently.Synonym: 熱氣Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/C7PVDJZpVgq/ (use mobile version)

Night King

Definition: Originated from the Cantonese movie 'Night King' starring Dayo Wong (黃子華), this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to the Lai King MTR station. Usage: E.g. A: 今晚去唔去荔景?B: 好呀。不過荔景幾時變左Night King?!(A: Want to go to Lai King tonight? B: Sure. But when did Lai King become Night King?!)Synonym: 夜王, 荔景Reference: https://www.hk01.com/電影/60330286/夜王-葵芳一角爆紅-港鐵葵芳站改名franchesca-仲有隱藏廣播
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