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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 917 results

danso

Definition: A fashionable code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to 'dancing society' in a highly efficient and beautiful manner, just like how they would execute any dance moves.

Usage: E.g. 唔係以為danso真係要識跳舞先入得嘛。(You thought you have to know how to dance in order to join dancing society?)

Synonym: dancing society, 舞蹈學會

Reference: https://amp.lihkg.com/thread/227225/page/3

wear a green hat

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe a man whose wife is cheating on him.

Usage: E.g. Why did you have to cheat on me and let me wear the green hat for so long?!!

Synonym: 載綠帽

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now?utm_campaign=likeshopme&utm_medium=instagram&utm_source=dash+hudson&utm_content=www.instagra (use mobile version)

mute

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to a person's microphone being muted while in a meeting.

Usage: E.g. 同事:喂,我聽唔到呀,你mute左呀。快D搵人叫佢unmute返啦。

unfair advantage

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to a unique or distinct competitive edge that a person or company has over others, which is often something that they were born with or started with. The phrase also tends to be more positive and optimistic than the Cantonese equivalent terms, even though some may think the opposite is true.

Usage: E.g. 林作:個世界就係唔公平。你要做既,就係要用任何你身上有可能既unfair advantage。如果你唔識用你靚仔呢樣野,令人覺得你靚仔D,至少比你做intern,咁你就係傻仔。(Jo Lam: The world is unfair as we know it. What you need to do is to make use of any sort of unfair advantage that you intrinsically have. If you don't know how to make use of your advantage in having good looks or make others think you are better looking so that they would at least give you a job as an intern, then you are an idiot.)

Synonym: 不公平的優勢; 不平等的優勢

Reference: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2975035002684251

mu so

Definition: A code-mixing term that local student Hong Kongers use to refer to 'music society'.

Usage: E.g. 唔知mu so今個sem有咩搞呢?

Synonym: 音樂學會

I’m not saying he is a bad person

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong actress and singer JW as a less direct way to describe someone with a bad personality.

Usage: E.g. I am not saying he is a bad person, 佢都係好人嚟㗎,男人我明白會有犯呢啲錯啦,但係當我係個受害者嘅時候,我就make咗呢個decision... (I am not saying he is a bad person, he is a good person after all, I understand men make these kind of mistakes, but since I was a victim, I made this decision...)

Synonym: 我唔係想講佢係一個壞/品質差既人

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60360165/jw剖白被背叛仍硬食拜金標籤真相-痛斥網絡風氣-永遠女仔就係雞?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01appshare

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

bra

Definition: A more subtle way for Hong Kongers to refer to the undergarment worn by women, as the Cantonese equivalent term '胸圍' may sound too explicit and embarrassing in mentioning the female's body part.

Usage: E.g. 哎呀,我今日唔記得左載bra添。

Synonym: 胸圍

Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201902353/201902353_1.pdf

Nei g ng ng ngo kong mut?

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing phrase used by local student Hong Kongers when they want to ask whether someone understands what they are talking about.

Usage: E.g. Nei g ng g ngo kong mut? (Do you know what I am saying?)

Synonym: 你知唔知我講乜?

Reference: https://www.socialcareer.org/blogs/do-you-really-know-cantonese

restructure

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong companies to refer to reorganising a company's team structure as well as an excuse to lay off its workers for some obscure reason.

Usage: E.g 對唔住,公司 restructure,唔再有你做緊個 role,亦冇適合位置啱你,所以會遣散你。(Sorry, the company restructured. It no longer has the role you are working for and there is no suitable position for you, so you will be dismissed.)

Synonym: 結構調整

Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/BADzEOCk1Z/

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