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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 744 results

fax

Definition: A code-mixing term used to refer to the fax machine (傳真機). Often used as 'fax機' or 'fax屎機'. Usage: E.g. 部fax機work唔work呀? E.g. 唔該幫我fax呢張野過去呀? E.g. 請問收唔收到我張fax屎呀?Reference: https://repository.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/tc/item/cuhk-321644

explode seed

Definition: Originated from Gundam seed and used as '爆seed' (explode seed), this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to unleashing one's potential. Usage: E.g. 呢鋪game我志在必得,各位我要出絕招爆seed啦!Reference: https://saucemedia.net/interesting/香港過氣潮語-潮語-十卜-32355/7/

mo lei tau

Definition: Transliterated from '冇厘頭' meaning 'with no source', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that is used to describe something that makes no sense. It originated from a type of slapstick humour associated with Hong Kong popular culture in the late 20th century, most notably in Steven Chow's (周星馳) movies. Usage: E.g. I think this story is mo lei tau! But it gives me a very good laugh! (我覺得呢個故事簡直係冇厘頭!不過真係好搞笑!)Synonym: 冇厘頭Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_lei_tau

order

Definition: Pronounced as '痾打', this is a more elegant term that refers to the Cantonese equivalent(落單)for placing orders.  Sometimes, it is used by the police when giving instructions to the subordinates. Usage: E.g. D野仲未黎既?我落左order好耐喇喎。快D吹吓佢。E.g. 警察:This is an order! Understand?! 下屬:Yes, sir!Synonym: 落單Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk

dik hon

Definition: (textspeak) Derived from comic book characters having a large drop of sweat on their forehead or hair, this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to feeling speechless and reticent. Dik hon (滴汗) has the literal meaning of 'drip sweat'. Usage: E.g. Your joke is so lame! Dik hon!Synonym: 滴汗

long time no see

Definition: Pronounced as 'long tie lo see', this is a code-mixing term used by grassroots class Hong Kongers for greeting someone they have not seen for a long time. Usage: E.g. 喂!Long tie lo see!Reference: https://www.esquirehk.com/mens-talk/simon-shen-hong-kong-english-chinese

discipline

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong parents when they want to train their kids to be more well-behaved and organised without sounding so harsh and verbose. Usage: E.g. 你今次考試考到咁低分。以後要discipline啲去溫書,知唔知?!(You got such a low mark in the exam this time. From now on, you should have more discipline to study, understand?)Synonym: 有紀律

cute

Definition: Often pronounced as 'Q' or used as 'Q-tee', this is a code-mixing term that is used by Hong Kongers instead of '可愛' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 哇,個公仔好Q呀! E.g. 港女:你睇吓我今日著得Q唔Q-tee呀?Synonym: 可愛Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

sor

Definition: A shortened form of 'sorry' that is often used by Hong Kongers. Usage: E.g. Sor,唔小心踩到你。 E.g. *碰到人* Sor,sor,sor。Synonym: Sorry, 對唔住

point

Definition: A more polite way to refer to a person's standpoint, as the Cantonese equivalent term '點', meaning a dot, can refer to a woman's breast. Usage: E.g. 男人:喂,我真係好唔明你個point喎!女人:唔緊要。我慢慢解釋比你聽。 E.g. 男人:喂,我真係好唔明你個點喎!女人:你話我邊點呀?唔好性騷擾喎!Reference: https://medium.com/@girlslearnenglish/你說話會中英夾雜嗎-被-污名化-的中英夾雜-why-code-mixing-is-totally-fine-32eb1f280ca
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