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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 822 results

align

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to reaching a consensus on matters of a situation. Usage: E.g. 我地一齊align一下意見,再匯報比上頭知。Synonym: 保持一致Reference: https://www.story001.com/post-196.html

bug

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used by people in the IT sector to refer to a computer bug (漏洞). Usage: E.g. 唔係掛?今次個program有咁多bug?!Synonym: 漏洞

timing

Definition: Often said with a rising intonation on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Konger badminton coaches like to use to refer to the exact point in time of something because the Cantonese equivalent ‘時機’ somehow sounds less accurate. Usage: E.g. 描準個ball,睇好個timing打落去,咁先得架嘛。(Aim at the ball, watch for the right timing and hit it. You got it?)Synonym: 時機

gimmick

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to '噱頭'. Usage: E.g. 你有沒有留意樓下那家coffee shop最近常做promotion,我覺得滿有gimmickSynonym: 噱頭Reference: https://hk.news.yahoo.com/港人中英夾雜有規律-網友-太神奇-020000181.html

uncle feet

Definition: Derived from the punning of '縮腳' with '叔' (uncle) having a similar pronunciation as '縮' (to shrink) , this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that is used to tell someone to watch their feet. Usage: Eg. I am mopping the floor. Uncle feet!Synonym: 縮腳Reference: https://youtu.be/_3hhDIErE2g?si=SLsZUTCKhV5cfm8x

camel

Definition: Pronounced as 'cam-mell' and criticised as Fake ABC English, this is a code-mixing term used by celebrity Janice man to refer to the animal 'camel'. Usage: E.g. 其實我自己好鍾意cam-mell色既,真係好似D駱駝色既,有少少泥色既。Reference: https://medium.com/@girlslearnenglish/你說話會中英夾雜嗎-被-污名化-的中英夾雜-why-code-mixing-is-totally-fine-32eb1f280ca

Apple care

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers who rely on Apple company completely for their phone warranty service. Usage: E.g. Q: 點解你個IPhone唔用case? A: 因為我有Apple care. Apple幫我care. 我唔洗care. I don’t care! (Q: Why don't you have a case for your IPhone? A: Because I have Apple Care. Apple helps me take care of my phone, which means I don't need to care. I don't care!)Synonym: 蘋果保養Reference: https://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=30600166

big tangerine and red packets

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers when someone sneezes, which is similar to 'Bless you!' in English. (大吉利是) Usage: E.g. A: Ack-choo! B: Big tangerine and red packets!Synonym: 大吉利是

sayunana

Definition: Originated from ‘sayonara’, this is a code-mixing term used by grassroots Hong Kongers who like to show off their limited Japanese language knowledge when they play with kids who are into Japanese anime. Usage: E.g. 下次再同你玩過。Sayunana!Synonym: sayonara, 拜拜Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3743607/page/1

cheque

Definition: (noun) The Hong Kong way of referring to '支票' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 可以開張cheque比我嗎?Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html
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