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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 822 results

copy

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers like to use to refer to a duplicate of something, such as a document. Usage: E.g. 份document整多幾份copy黎呀,唔該。Synonym: 副本

hiking

Definition: A code-mixing term that westernised Hong Kongers like to use to refer to the sport of walking long distances on mountains because they have gotten so used to it and see it as a hobby rather than something laborious like '行山', which literally translates to 'walk mountain'. Usage: E.g. 今個weekend去唔去hiking呀? 不如今次行遠D呀? (Do you want to go hiking this weekend? What about going on a longer trail?)Synonym: 行山Reference: https://letsgohiking.blog/

sayunana

Definition: Originated from ‘sayonara’, this is a code-mixing term used by grassroots Hong Kongers who like to show off their limited Japanese language knowledge when they play with kids who are into Japanese anime. Usage: E.g. 下次再同你玩過。Sayunana!Synonym: sayonara, 拜拜Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3743607/page/1

shut up

Definition: Pronounced as 'shalup', this is a code-mixing term used to tell somebody to shut up immediately. Usage: E.g. 好鬼嘈呀!快D shalup啦! E.g. 同學:Shalup!老師就快到喇!Synonym: 收聲

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?Synonym: 專業

take two

Definition: Originated from a Hong Kong TV advertisement in the 90's, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a second chance, which is most known for warning someone that there is no second chance in life. Usage: E.g. 香港的公益廣告曾有一句廣告詞「生命無『Take two』」很深入人心,意思是說「生命沒有第二次機會,要珍惜生命」(Hong Kong's public service advertisements once had a well-known slogan "There is no 'Take two' in life", which means "there is no second chance in life, we must cherish life".)Synonym: 第二次機會Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1674492649207500800.html

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

take care

Definition: An a lot more gentle and caring way of telling someone to take care of themselves compared to the Cantonese equivalent. Explanation: 你自己照顧自己—>以後你自己搞掂喇—>你自己食自己—>慘慘豬(@V@) Usage: E.g. 媽咪要去旅行喇。你自己take care喇。 E.g. 以後take care喇。Sayorara.

soft

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to not being strict enough when managing people. Also, it often tends to depict a weakness in character by describing a person is not forceful or harsh enough. Usage: E.g. 同事話我太soft管唔到學生,我聽完好灰。(My colleague said I am too soft and cannot manage students like this. I felt very grey afterwards.)Synonym: 不嚴厲Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DU-fcZMgjI7/ (use mobile version)

need son ng need mum

Definition: An idiom made popular by the toy product 'Need Son Ng Need Mum', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to the Chinese family tradition of favouring sons over daughters in carrying on a bloodline. Usage: E.g. A: Do you think you come from a traditional family? B: Yes! Need son ng need mum!Synonym: 要仔唔要乸, 重男輕女Reference: https://www.threads.com/@apetoys/post/DNfCsgkP2qd/限量預訂嘩曱甴懷孕動物-要仔唔要乸-第六彈-小強系列need-son-ng-need-mum-small-strong-series全12款1隱藏款每盒都有男b
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