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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 701 results

peng di

Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase used by foreigners to bargain in a wet market, in order to get a bigger deal or low price. A 'la' is also usually added at the end for emphasis. Usage: E.g. This is fifty dollars? Peng di la!Synonym: 平DReference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know

small potato

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers who want to sound humble yet not so insignificant when they are being asked what position they work in a company. Usage: E.g. A: 哇!你間公司好出名喎。 B: 係呀,不過我只係small potato。(A: Wow! Your company is very famous. B: Yes, but I am just a small potato.)Synonym: 小角色Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/4063839/page/1

water fish

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a person who is easily deceived or fooled. Usage: E.g. Some people say Hong Kong is an international water fish city! (國際水魚都市)Synonym: 水魚

gau dim eat bowl noodle

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe having done a task, which is similar to 'All done!'. Sometimes, '搞掂食碗麵' can be shortened to '搞掂'. Usage: E.g. I have finally done this task! Gau dim eat bowl noodle!Synonym: 搞掂食碗麵Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=This%20phrase%20means%20%E2%80%9CAll%20done,can%20announce%20%E2%80%9CGau%20dim!%E2%80%9D

rat race

Definition: Derived from the Chinese term '內卷' and often translated as 'involution', this is an Englishised code-mixing term that describes an economic situation where excessive competition does not lead to development and innovation. This may lead to people feeling stressed, anxious, and trapped, as the two characters mean 'inside rolling'. Usage: E.g. I'm stuck in the rat race! I'm so tired of competing with everyone just to climb the career ladder!Synonym: 內卷Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjTg1G8rpVc

refer

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to recommend a candidate for a vacant position. Usage: E.g. 如果你識到朋友做呢行,可以refer佢比我地嗎?Synonym: 推薦, 介紹Reference: https://goop.ai/topic/2r3f/尋英文補習教學partner

FF

Definition: (verb) Derived from the game "final fantasy", this is a Cantonese slang to refer to someone who fantasizes too much. Usage: Be realistic! Don't FF too much la. Synonym: FantasizeReference: https://www.cantoneseclass101.com/blog/2019/07/23/cantonese-text-slang/

Dinner / din

Definition: A fashionable, elegant way of referring to dinner in Cantonese. Usage: Eg. 去邊到食dinner好呢? Eg. 你想去邊到吃din呀?Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf

catch up

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to refer to talking to someone in order to know what they have been doing. Usage: E.g. 我地幾時會再catch up吓?好耐冇見喇。Synonym: 趕上進度

can

Definition: Sometimes said with a fist pump gesture, this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to express absolute affirmation towards the feasibility of an idea. Usage: E.g. 當然啦! 呢個idea絕對can啦! (Of course! This idea is absolutely feasible!)Synonym: 可以, 可行
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