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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 744 results

gossip

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers which is a more generic and less vivid way of calling someone who is too preoccupied with talking about other people’s lives. Usage: E.g. 唔好成日掛住gossip,專注啲做野啦!(Stop gossipping all the time and focus on your work!)Synonym: 諸事八卦, 閒言閒語, 講是非Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2683169/page/1

eight woman

Definition: (vulgar) Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to describe a female person who is nosy and meddles in other people's business. Similar to 'bitch' in English. Literal meaning of 八婆: eight old woman Usage: E.g. Mind your own business, eight woman! (八婆) E.g. Are you done messing around, die eight woman?! (死八婆) E.g. You are such an eight woman! (正八婆)Synonym: 八婆Reference: https://www.secretchina.com/news/b5/2013/11/29/521805.html

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

go scuba diving

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing phrase that refers to someone who disappeared for a long time and no one knows where they went. Usage: E.g. I will be blacklisting this guy who promised to attend the conference but went scuba diving!Synonym: 潛水

printer

Definition: Often pronounced without the 'r' sounds and with a rising tone on the second syllable, this is an a lot more linguistically efficient way of referring to printer (打印機)in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 內地人:個打印機喺邊呀? 香港人:咩話?三個字咁累贅。叫返printer啦唔該。Synonym: 打印機Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf

interesting

Definition: A code-mixing filler term used by westernised Hong Kongers when they don't really find the other person's topic is all that interesting in a conversation. Usage: E.g. A: 我平時鍾意寫app,去語言交流免費教人廣東話。B: 哦,interesting, interesting... (A: I like writing apps and going to language exchange to volunteer teaching people Cantonese regularly. B: Oh, interesting, interesting...) E.g. 我見外國人成日都用interesting 黎答人,仲要面無表情,會唔會係根本interesting 係外國一直都只係解: 哦⋯⋯. (I often see foreigners use 'interesting' as a response in a conversation, but without facial expression. Could it be that 'interesting' merely means like 'oh....' from a foreigner's perspective?)Synonym: 很有趣, 哦Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/1047783/page/1

chok

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to pulling a face that looks pretentious in order to look cool. Usage: E.g. 林峯:你睇吓我個樣夠唔夠chok?!Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-hea-chok-chur/

fans

Definition: Pronounced as 'fan-see' with a rising intonation on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to admirers of a person, such as a celebrity.  Sometimes, the transliteration of the word '粉絲' is used instead. Usage: E.g. 我係你既忠心fans黎架。同我影張相好嗎?Synonym: 粉絲

staycation

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers love to use to refer to going on a vacation near one's home. Usage: E.g. 年尾要清假,但封左關又唔去得旅行,唯有去酒店staycation啦。Synonym: 宅度假Reference: https://hkdic.my-helper.com/Staycation/

primary school chicken

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who is dumb, inexperienced, and immature. Usage: E.g. Pay attention to what the person who is saying during the meeting! Stop acting like a primary school chicken!Synonym: 小學雞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)
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