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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 822 results

goodest

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers use to refer to something of the best quality. Usage: E.g. 2000FUN討論區是香港最「Goodest」。Synonym: 最好,bestReference: https://evchk.fandom.com/zh/wiki/Goodest

single dog

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers as a more abstract way of referring to a person's relationship status without a partner than emphasizing the physical body as ‘單身’ denotes in Cantonese. Even though 'dog' is seen as a derogatory term, the phrase is often treated as a common everyday joke than it is really mocking someone seriously. Usage: E.g. 無論班女仔fd幾大班,三個又好,五個又好,十幾個又好,都係得我係single dog (No matter how big my group of female friends is, three or five or ten, I am the single dog.)Synonym: 單身狗Reference: https://amp.lihkg.com/thread/708381/page/1

add oil

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that Hong Kongers use to cheer for somebody else as encouragement or support when they are bored of the equivalent term '加油' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. Add oil! 希望你今次考試高分!Synonym: 加油

dive under water

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to someone who disappeared for a long time and no one knows where they are. Usage: E.g. A: Where did your classmate go? B: I think he dived under water.Synonym: 潛水Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/cantonese-slang-of-the-week-diving-under-water

sit

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use to refer to sitting through a lecture without participating in it, which is usually used for those who don't belong to the class or course. Usage: E.g. 同學:可以邀請我sit堂嗎? E.g. 我見到嗰位先生成日要sit堂。係助教還是professor?

solicitor

Definition: A code-mixing term that overseas educated Hong Kongers use to refer to the kind of lawyer occupation that mostly deals with documents but actually goes to court proceedings at times. Usage: E.g. A: 你係咪做solicitor? 咁咪唔洗上court? B: 都要上court架,少啲咋麻。(A: Are you a solictor? Does that mean you don't need to go to court? B: I need to go to court, but relatively less.)Synonym: 事務律師Reference: https://cph-legal.com/2022/03/how-to-ace-a-job-interview-at-a-law-firm/

I don't really spend money

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by upper class Hong Kong girls who are really honest about how much money they spend. Usage: E.g. 我需要啲咩啫,嚟嚟去去我咪又係食叉燒飯、意粉,I don't really spend money.(我根本唔花錢)對我嚟講無關係,我真係無嘢。(E.g. What do I really need? Wherever I go I just eat barbeque pork rice, pasta, I don't really spend money.(I don't spend money at all) Money doesn't matter to me, I really don't care.)Synonym: 我根本唔花錢Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60359289/jw王灝兒分手後啞忍兩年-眼濕濕平反拜金論-我仲使乜入tvb拍劇?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01appshare

accommodation

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to a place to stay or live, which they believe should be provided by companies or schools that are accommodating. Usage: E.g. 個人建議你有得報學校accommodation就報左先。(Personally, I suggest that you should apply for the school's accommodation if you can.) E.g. 你公司幫你搵咩accommodation?(What accommodation does your company provide?)Synonym: 住宿Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3555364/page/32

kau

Definition: A classic Kongish code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use to refer to picking up, chatting up and courting someone, especially girls. Even though this is considered a more serious term than 'flirting', it is still very often used to describe someone who is just chatting up the opposite sex but not necessarily looking for romance, especially for the long term. Usage: E.g. Tonight go ng go kau lui? (Want to pick up girls tonight?)Synonym: 溝Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?1,39072

Aiya

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used as an interjection to express frustration or annoyance when something surprising occurs. (哎呀) Usage: E.g. Aiya! I missed the bus! E.g. Aiya! I dropped the cake! E.g. Aiya! I just needed one more mark to pass the test!Synonym: 哎呀Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/seven-cantonese-phrases-that-should-be-in-the-oed
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