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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 701 results

eat wet rice

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who is useless and is a waste of money to raise him or her up. (食濕米 or 食塞米) Usage: E.g. You cannot get anything done at all today? Do you eat wet rice? (你係咪食塞米?)Synonym: 食濕米, 食塞米Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/%E9%A3%9F%E5%A1%9E%E7%B1%B3

send

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to sending things over the internet. ('發送') Usage: E.g. 你可唔可以send張相比我呀?Synonym: 發送

laptop

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to '手提電腦'. Usage: E.g. 你部laptop用咩CPU架?好似好快喎。

lounge

Definition: Often pronounced as 'launch', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a club lounge in a hotel. Usage: E.g. 唔該,請問個lounge喺邊?我想搵個位坐吓先。Synonym: 休息聽Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mz8kUbNcMw

awkward

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to a social situation where one feels very strange and uncomfortable, rather than an embarrassing situation where one feels ashamed or humiliated, as the Cantonese equivalent term '尷尬' can take on any of those two meanings. Usage: E.g. 本來咁多人約左出黎食飯點知得返你地兩個,會唔會覺得好awkward? (Originally many people were going to have a meal together, but only two of you came. Did it feel awkward?)Synonym: 尷尬Reference: https://www.threads.com/@janemanic.english/post/DHpmw9YRm-y/很多人分不清-embarrassedembarrassing-和-awkward雖然它們都有尷尬的意思但用法不同-embarrassed-形容人的感受例如-i-?hl=zh-hk

hai

Definition: A romanised code-mixing term that foreignised Hong Kongers use when they want to say ‘yes’ to someone. Usage: Hong Konger: Are you a gweilo? Foreigner: Hai.Synonym: 係Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know

no eye see

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that refers to something that is like an eyesore to oneself because he or she cannot withstand it anymore. Usage: E.g. 你地做成日都打爛野。我真係no eye see喇。(冇眼睇)Synonym: 冇眼睇Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/tag/kongish/

network

Definition: 1. (noun) A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers love to use to refer to internet access. 2. (verb) A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use to refer to social networking. Usage: E.g. 今日公司network有D問題,成日search野都好慢,仲間唔中會斷。 E.g. 最近有冇出去同人network?

sh*t

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong celebrity Louis Koo (古天樂) in the TVB episode 'A Step into the Past' (尋秦記) when he was transported into the past to the days of Qin Dynasty. Usage: E.g. *Wakes up and finds an army of horsemen rushing towards him* Sh*t!Synonym: 弊, 死喇Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edrNB8DXhmQ

three does not know seven

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who does not know anyone. Originated from a game similar to Rummikub where pulling cards should add up to nine, but not over. Otherwise, the player will lose the game. Usage: E.g. I have never been to this event before! Everyone was like 'three does not know seven'!Synonym: 三唔識七Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms
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