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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 744 results

potential

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to display your level of knowledge, as if you come from higher education background. Usage: E.g. 老闆:我覺得呢個idea好有potential。快D走去落實啦。 E.g. 我覺得你個人好有potential。不過就寸左D。

seed

Definition: Known as Kongish and used as '有種' (have seed), this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to not being afraid or having the guts to do something. Usage: E.g. If you have seed, then I will give you some colour see see! (有種)Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

sor

Definition: A shortened form of 'sorry' that is often used by Hong Kongers. Usage: E.g. Sor,唔小心踩到你。 E.g. *碰到人* Sor,sor,sor。Synonym: Sorry, 對唔住

go through

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to examining something in detail. Usage: E.g. 老闆:開會時記住同大家go through一下今個week既items。Reference: https://www.story001.com/post-196.html

take advantage

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to exploiting the use of something, even though at times it can seem more like abusing or misusing something instead. Usage: E.g. 有D公司好take advantage D fresh grad,要你做唔哂野要OT。(Some companikes really take advantage of fresh graduates and get them to work overtime.) E.g. 有D員工好take advantage公司D病假。(Some employees really take advantage of the sick leaves offered by companies.)Synonym: 利用, 濫用Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3588289/page/6

so

Definition: A shortened term for the word 'socialise' in English, which may mean different things in various situations. Usage: E.g. 喂,你so吓人好喎?(to show that you care about others) E.g. 喂,唔好成日掛住soD女仔啦。(to court somebody) E.g. 喂,後生仔要出黎soso吓先得架嘛。(to socialise) E.g. 喂,你最近好似唔係好so-so喎。(being social)

fai di

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that Hong Kong expats use to tell someone to hurry up. The particle 'la' is often added for emphasis. Usage: Fai di la! The bus is here!Synonym: 快D啦Reference: https://geoexpat.com/forum/53/thread22332-2.html

friendly

Definition: Sometimes used with a negation particle such as '唔' meaning 'not' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe something as not very kind and pleasant in a less direct and personal way, even though the word is usually used to describe a person. Usage: E.g. 你講得岩。香港揸車唔係咁friendly。(You are right. Driving in Hong Kong isn't very friendly.)Synonym: 友善

Key

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used with “啱key”, which refers to whether you get along well with somebody. Explanation: like the key in a piece of music. Usage: Eg. 你同你朋友啱唔啱key呀?Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/啱key

offer

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used instead of '取錄'. Usage: E.g. 家人:邊間大學比左offer你呀? 你:仲未有offer呀。唔知幾時呢?
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