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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 622 results

up

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to uploading files to the internet. ('上載') Usage: E.g. 快D幫我up張相到IG啦!

How's it going?

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that real ABC's like to use to show that they are friendly and easy to talk to.  Sometimes, a 'man' is added to the end of the phrase for emphasis. Usage: E.g. 喂,how's it going?近排幾好嗎? E.g. How's it going man?!今晚得閒去bar嗎?

chi sin

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who is crazy, or a situation that is outrageous or unbelievable. (痴線 - ci1 sin3) Literal meaning: To have your electrical wires touching. Ie. Short circuit in the brain. Usage: E.g. Chi sin! You used all your money to gamble?! E.g. Chi sin! The restaurant gave me the wrong bill! E.g. Chi sin! You won the lottery?!!Synonym: 痴線Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/8-colloquialisms-unique-to-cantonese

cleansing foam

Definition: Pronounced as 'cleansing form', this is a code-mixing term used by celebrity Janice Man to refer to the facial treatment item 'cleansing foam'. Usage: E.g. 我通常眼同埋嘴就用左油既,即係remover,oil remover去落左先,跟住就會全面再用呢一個cleansing water再全面抺一次,跟住先至用落裝油全面再洗一次,再用cleansing form全面就再落裝咁樣。咁所以其實都有四五個step囉。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

nice

Definition: A way to express how nice someone is on the surface. Usage: E.g. 佢個人好nice,但係識耐左先知道原來係虛偽。E.g. 佢個人好nice,不過唔知個人好唔好呢?

elaborate

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local and overseas educated Hong Kongers when they want to testify a person's knowledge or believe that the other person can be more eloquent in expressing their ideas. Usage: E.g. 唔好意思。我唔明你講咩喎。你可以elaborate一吓嗎?(I’m sorry. But I don’t understand what you are talking about. Can you elaborate?)Synonym: 詳細說明

ferragamo

Definition: A code-mixing term used by the upper class Hong Kongers to refer to the Italian luxury brand. However, the grassroots Hong Kongers pronounce it as '飛甩雞毛', which means the chicken dropping its feathers. Usage: E.g. A:你著緊咩牌子?飛甩雞毛?B:係Ferragamo呀。Synonym: 飛甩雞毛

actually

Definition: Often overused by Fake ABCs in Hong Kong for creating a western appeal, especially when they lack English vocabulary. Usage: E.g. Actually,我都要D時間諗下先。我過兩日再覆你。 E.g. 朋友:我地係咪約好左聽日去睇戲呀?你:Actually,我聽日唔得閒。 E.g. Actually,你講既野都有D道理。不過我唔同意。

bro

Definition: A code-mixing term that real ABC's like to use to show how easygoing they can be. Usage: E.g. Hey bro!不如一齊食飯啦? E.g. Hey bro!放工一齊打波呀?

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?Reference: https://goop.ai/topic/2r3f/尋英文補習教學partner