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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 917 results

written test

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a written test created by companies for job candidates, which can be easy or difficult depending on the situation. Sometimes, it can also be very 'chur' to do due to a company's limited time.

Usage: E.g. 一入到去未擺低袋就俾張紙我做 Written Test,限時 20 分鐘。(When I arrived and before I even put my bag down, they gave me a piece of paper to do a written test, which had a time limit of 20 minutes.)

Synonym: 筆試

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@sangdongizary/post/DZmtCj0mGom?xmt=AQG0EL-oDne_ejxYTHR6FJqyzY8A-PLBBPXB5uoPeZ1QqFbjVadt9K2xVmBMMoskDQMsiRJc&slof=1

adhoc

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to tasks that have not been planned and must be done at the time as they were assigned.

Usage: E.g. 今日公司唔係好忙,不過有好多adhoc野做。

Synonym: 臨時工作

pork chop

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe a fat or ugly woman. (豬扒)

Usage: E.g. I think this girl is such a pork chop! I have no interest in her at all! (豬扒)

Synonym: 豬扒

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/16131/

band

Definition: Often used as '散band', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to dismissing after an event, such as a party.

Usage: E.g. 今晚幾點散band?

Synonym: 解散

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW0x5-SyI4o

Of course

Definition: A phrase used by native Hong Kongers to affirm that something is true or obvious, usually among friends and relatives in informal settings, especially with the particle 'la' in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 朋友: 今日出街記住載口罩。 你:Of course啦! E.g. 女朋友: 哇,你好叻呀。 你:Of course啦! E.g. 男朋友: 估唔到你咁醒目。 你:Of course啦!

dead air

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '冷場' (laang5 ceong4), which literally translates to 'cold scene'.

Usage: E.g. 考口試最緊要唔好dead air。

Synonym: 冷場

Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

all day breakfast

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that upper class Hong Kongers use to refer to the breakfast set that is served all day long, but don't actually eat that often except during breakfast hours.

Usage: E.g. 食all day breakfast? 唔好喇掛,就黎六點,食返晚餐好過啦。(Eat all day breakfast? I don't think so since it's about 6 o'clock. I think it's better to eat dinner.)

Synonym: 全日早餐

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/教煮/93368/all-day-breakfast-麵包雞蛋炸薯花款多-一張圖鑒辨清楚

sik farn

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing term transliterated from ‘食飯’, which means eat rice.

Usage: E.g. Sik jor farn mei ar? (食左飯未呀?) E.g. Hor yee sik farn la. (可以食飯喇)

Synonym: 食飯

Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/2019/11/16/the-use-of-transliteration-in-kongish/

OK

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Miss Hong Kong girls when they genuinely find something as acceptable or satisfactory, such as marrying a guy who is not rich.

Usage: E.g. 莊子璇:一定要同富豪,同有錢人一齊,我覺得又唔一定,都係一個刻板印象嚟,我都可以同一個好愛嘅人或者佢冇乜錢我都Ok。(Hilary Chong: Being with a tycoon or a rich guy, I don't think it is necessary. This is only a stereotype. I can also be with a person I love or if he doesn't have much money I'm also OK.)

Synonym: 可以(接受)

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60346013/莊子璇被封-富豪殺手-反擊網民對港姐有偏見-佢冇乜錢我都ok?itm_source=universal_search&itm_campaign=hk01&itm_content=all&itm_medium=web

chemistry

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to the attraction between two people.

Usage: E.g. A:你話佢地兩個有冇chemistry呢?B:你係指work定係sexual chemistry呢?LOL。

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