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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 701 results

uncle feet

Definition: Derived from the punning of '縮腳' with '叔' (uncle) having a similar pronunciation as '縮' (to shrink) , this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that is used to tell someone to watch their feet. Usage: Eg. I am mopping the floor. Uncle feet!Synonym: 縮腳Reference: https://youtu.be/_3hhDIErE2g?si=SLsZUTCKhV5cfm8x

Skype

Definition: Often pronounced as 'Skypy', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the instant messaging software 'Skype'. Usage: E.g. 你幾時得閒呀?我想用Skypy打比你呀。Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/633876/港式英語-19個英文字港人常讀錯-釘橋-cam錢-janet讀到似中文

appreciate

Definition: A posh way of saying that you admire someone's work or effort, in order to show your high social status or higher education background. Usage: E.g. 我好appreciate你個idea. Well done. E.g. 我好appreciate你做既野。不過,你都唔可以迫我accept你個apology。

sir

Definition: Often used as 'Ah sir' (阿sir), this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a male teacher. (Also see 'Missy' for female teacher) Usage: E.g. 阿sir,我今日冇帶功課。可唔可以唔好罰我呀?Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

alma mater

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to the school that a person had graduated from. However, working class and grassroots Hong Kongers may know this term but not use it because it sounds too Latin than English. Hence, they find ‘mother school’ is more sensible and practical to use. Usage: E.g. 你既alma mater係邊間學校?Synonym: 母校, mother schoolReference: https://youtube.com/shorts/Br8CWgYQNak?si=aFaIMvdv2YSnCxvh

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

care

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kong businessmen to refer to something that they give a damn about, as the equivalent terms '理', '在乎' or '關心' in Cantonese sound too romantic or loving in a professional setting. Usage: E.g. 我唔care你要OT到幾多點,總之要幫我搞掂。 E.g. 其實我都好care我既員工既福利。 E.g. 艾東care! (I don't care!)

gossip

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers which is a more generic and less vivid way of calling someone who is too preoccupied with talking about other people’s lives. Usage: E.g. 唔好成日掛住gossip,專注啲做野啦!(Stop gossipping all the time and focus on your work!)Synonym: 諸事八卦, 閒言閒語, 講是非Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2683169/page/1

mu so

Definition: A code-mixing term that local student Hong Kongers use to refer to 'music society'. Usage: E.g. 唔知mu so今個sem有咩搞呢?Synonym: 音樂學會

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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