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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 917 results

slow ton ton eat wonton

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who does things very slowly.

Usage: E.g. Get work done quickly! Stop slow ton ton eat wonton!

Synonym: 慢吞吞食雲吞

collect skin

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to tell somebody to shut the f**k up. It is used instead of the Cantonese equivalent '收皮' in order to tone down the directness of this very rude phrase. It originates from street vendors who used to pack their things up on wooden mats when police arrived back in those days of Hong Kong.

Usage: E.g. 喂,講完未呀?Collect skin啦。E.g. 真係頂你唔順呀,快D collect skin啦。

Synonym: 收皮

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now?utm_campaign=likeshopme&utm_medium=instagram&utm_source=dash+hudson&utm_content=www.instagram.com/p/Cy8AD_WtaxO/ (use mobile version)

mm sick teng

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that Hong Kong expats use when they don't understand what someone is saying in Cantonese.

Usage: Hong Konger: 你叫咩名? Expat: Mm sick teng.

Synonym: 唔識聽

Reference: https://geoexpat.com/forum/53/thread22332-2.html

case

Definition: A generic code-mixing term used for a number of Chinese words meaning 'case', in order to maximise communicative efficiency.

Usage: E.g. 喂,阿John。同我follow下個case得嗎?(個案) E.g. 今次呢單case好似唔簡單。(案件) E.g. 呢個病人個case睇嚴重D喎。(病情) E.g. 我明白你個case。(情況)

Synonym: 個案; 案件

social

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to socialising with people when they are too tired of '應酬' in Cantonese where one is eating, drinking or entertaining clients for the sake of establishing business relations.

Usage: E.g. 曾經諗過改 逼自己扮social 但最後發現乜都唔理做番自己最舒服 唔洗夾硬逼自己扮哂野去應酬人 (I once thought about forcing myself to pretend to be social, but in the end I found that I didn't need to care about anything but being myself was the most comfortable. I didn't have to force myself to pretend to be social to entertain people.)

Synonym: 應酬

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/310048/page/3

game

Definition: A code-mixing term that often refers to a computer/video game.

Usage: E.g. 你最鍾意玩邊隻game呀?

Synonym: 遊戲

spin

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term that refers to describing a matter as something else, especially in politics.

Usage: E.g. 鍾培生:阿林作好鍾意將件事spin到同政治有關。

PK

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the Cantonese swear word '仆街', which literally translates to 'trip on the street'.

Usage: E.g. 聽日交唔到貨就PK喇! E.g. 玩我?! 你個PK!

A0

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish codemixing term that refers to a person who has never been in a relationship before. I.e. Available = 0.

Usage: E.g. Nei dou year 4 lah, ng hai lum ju a0 grad har wah. (你都Year 4啦,唔係諗住A0 grad吓話。)

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/article/283411?utm_source=01appshare&utm_medium=referral

mou dak ding

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase meaning something is of the best quality. It cannot get better than it already is.

Usage: E.g. Wa! This dim sum is mou dak ding!

Synonym: 冇得頂

Reference: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/mou-dak-ding-learn-cantonese-slang-wx2f-carlosdouh-youtube--475552041888237723/

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