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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 701 results

eat c

Definition: A euphemistic way of telling somebody to eat sh*t (食屎). Usage: E.g. 咁巴閉?! Eat c la!

ge

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term that is similar to the apostrophe + s in English, which is used as a possessive marker. Eg. Peter's car. Usage: E.g. fyi the box in the pic ge mask is made in china ga lor...Synonym: 既Reference: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10111885/3/Li_KD%20revision%20-%20ver%202%20-%20final%20submitted.pdf

up mud spring

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that local Hong Kong students use to ask what the heck someone is talking about. Even though it looks like a westernised expression, spring actually refers to testicles and is quite rude when used as an expression. Usage: E.g. Ho lun dor jargon ar. Up mud spring ar? (So many f***ing jargon. What the testicles are you saying?)Synonym: 噏乜春Reference: https://www.hk01.com/熱爆話題/364993/konglish瘋狂洗版-ga-yau係點解-即睇港式英語大測試

anyway

Definition: A term used by native Hong Kongers to divert one topic to another in a polite manner. Usage: E.g. 係呀,個proposal已經搞掂了。Anyway, 我兒家要去開meeting。 E.g. 份proposal仲未搞掂?Anyways, 我兒家要食lunch喇。Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

jumpy

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a CV or resume that has a work history of many different jobs in a short period of time. Usage: E.g. HR:你份CV太jumpy喇!D公司睇到唔會想見你!

sure win

Definition: Often added after '一定', this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to being absolutely certain that you will win, like in a bet or game. Usage: E.g. 今次D牌咁靚,一定sure win啦! E.g. 你咁有學歷同咁smart,面試一定sure win啦!Synonym: 必勝Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/61304/

low tech

Definition: (adj) A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to describe something that is very unadvanced in technology.  There is a famous quote that goes "High Tech揩野,Low Tech撈野", which describes the volatility of high-tech products as opposed to low-tech products that have a larger market despite high competition. '撈' refers to '有得撈', which means you can earn a living. Usage: E.g. 今時今日唔可以再咁low tech架喇。快D買返部智能手機啦。Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201902353/201902353_1.pdf

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

milestone

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to an important stage or event in the development of something. (里程碑) Usage: E.g. 我地公司今年reach到個milestone!Let\'s celebrate!Synonym: 里程碑Reference: https://www.story001.com/post-196.html

I don't know

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by the K-pop singer Jackson Wang (王嘉爾) when he has nothing to say. Even though he was born in Hong Kong, it is often said that he has real American Born Chinese vibe, due to his strong knowledge of English filler terms while speaking in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 我從運動員到練習生到出道,去海外,我自己覺得我係捱到既。但係有時呢D咁既野真係hit到我,我真係...i don't know. (From being an athlete to a trainee to debut then overseas, I always thought I could endure. But when there were things that hit me sometimes, I really just... I don't know.)Synonym: 我唔知Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7-73ZG8G2s
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