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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 744 results

lie flat

Definition: Derived from the Chinese internet slang '躺平', this is an Englishised code-mixing term used to describe a lifestyle of doing as little as possible, due to knowing that there is a 'rat race' going on where everyone is competing for jobs such that it is almost impossible to keep up with the societal pressure. Usage: E.g. This exam is so difficult! I am lying flat! E.g. I am not lying flat! I must continue to find a better job!Synonym: 躺平Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-internet-and-texting-slang-to-use-right-now

heavy

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe the feeling of eating too much. Usage: E.g. 食完打邊爐再飲咖啡會好heavy。Synonym: 好腬

invite

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use to refer to treating someone a meal, such as lunch or dinner. Usage: E.g. Can you invite you to dinner today?Synonym: 請Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkP4AAqaKTk

bonus

Definition: A chic-sounding code-mixing term that refers to year-end bonus (花紅) in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 你間公司今個年尾有bonus嗎?Reference: https://aclanthology.org/O09-5003.pdf

gong for

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing term meaning homework, which only Hong Kong local students can understand. Usage: E.g. Jo jor gong for mei ar? (做左功課未呀?) E.g. Nei mong gong for meh? (你忙功課咩?) E.g. Jo sai d gong for la! (做晒D功課喇!)Synonym: 功課Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/2019/11/16/the-use-of-transliteration-in-kongish/

skip

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '跳過'. Usage: E.g. 條題目好難。skip左先啦。Synonym: 跳過Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

tissue

Definition: Pronounced as 'tee-suu', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers have grown up with and got used to instead of the equivalent term in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 請問有冇tissue呀?。E.g. 唔該比張tissue黎呀,唔該。Synonym: 紙巾

show off

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use instead of '炫耀', which sounds too formal to be used in conversation.  Also used as 'show qualie' sometimes. Usage: E.g. 唔好成日係到show off啦。知道你勁喇。E.g. 成日講野都夾雜英文。你喺到show qualie呀?

sir

Definition: Often used as 'Ah sir' (阿sir), this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a male teacher. (Also see 'Missy' for female teacher) Usage: E.g. 阿sir,我今日冇帶功課。可唔可以唔好罰我呀?Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

cc

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers love to use to refer to sending a copy of an email message to another recipient. Usage: E.g. 份email記住cc埋比所有人。Synonym: 抄送
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