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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 744 results

rat race

Definition: Derived from the Chinese term '內卷' and often translated as 'involution', this is an Englishised code-mixing term that describes an economic situation where excessive competition does not lead to development and innovation. This may lead to people feeling stressed, anxious, and trapped, as the two characters mean 'inside rolling'. Usage: E.g. I'm stuck in the rat race! I'm so tired of competing with everyone just to climb the career ladder!Synonym: 內卷Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjTg1G8rpVc

quota

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to one's limit of something, such as how much food one can eat. Usage: E.g. 食野要有quota,尤其係生野。 E.g. 我望手機有quota,因為我始終年紀大。Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

laugh die me

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that refers to something that is so funny that one can die from having too much laughter. Usage: E.g. Laugh die me喇!真係好搞笑呀。(笑死我)Synonym: 笑死我Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/tag/kongish/

my pressure

Definition: Originated from 'my pleasure', this is a code-mixing term used by grassroots Hong Kongers to express their enjoyment in helping someone when they have used 'You are welcome' too often. Also, saying the Cantonese equivalent '我的榮幸' may just sound too formal and exaggerated for a small favour done for someone. Usage: E.g. A: Thank you哂你呀!B: My preeessure.Synonym: 我的榮幸, my pleasureReference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3178884/page/39

light light dick

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term that is likely to have derived from '輕輕地', which is an adverb that means 'gently'. Even though the 'dick' in the expression seems to refer to the male's penis, it is most likely a typo according to some native Hong Kongers and the AI. However, it is also purported to be the transliteration of ‘的’, which translates to ‘輕輕的‘, an expression that is often used by the Taiwanese poet Hamilton Hsu (徐志摩). Usage: E.g. Let me light light dick remind you... E.g. Light light dick push har.Synonym: 輕輕地Reference: https://www.facebook.com/KongishDaily/posts/light-light-dick-push-har-supportkongish/2052444074897500/?locale=sw_KE

Jayden mania

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to a set of viral videos created by two Hong Kong KOL Matthew (matthewpwj_) and Janice (janicewanwan), where typical Hong Kong modern mothers are being imitated and mocked by their Cantonese-English code-mixing conversation style that is supposedly awkward. Even though "Jayden" is taken as a popular name for boys in Hong Kong, other names such as Eunice, Benson, Hailey and many more are used. Usage: E.g. Jayden, Mommy told you not to play all day. Have you done your homework?Synonym: Jayden之亂Reference: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/social-buzz/article/329055/Jayden-mania-How-a-viral-meme-mocking-Hong-Kong-parenting-is-sweeping-the-internet

pushy

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to being annoying and persistent in asking people what you want from them, which they may find unpleasant sometimes. Usage: E.g. 要做成一件事, 我經常會話, 係要夠煩, 要有少少pushy, 要真係問人攞。你既企圖心要夠擔, 夠明顯。無論係愛情, 定係講緊事業, 定係講緊銷售, 定係講緊生意, 有時候要夠煩。(In order to succeed in doing something, I always say that one must be annoying, a little pushy, and be really willing to ask people what you want. You must have a strong and clear ambition. No matter it is love, career, being a salesman or doing business, you have got to be annoying sometimes.)Synonym: 糾纏不休Reference: https://www.threads.com/@jolamchok/post/DWwAUf9EvsW?xmt=AQF0y1ypqqeuGQnl13QqFayBUxJUEO9Wygkjfo1KjhsL2gTqpLWJM-Xeszh4FEGiA-wBWbDL&slof=1

gur

Definition: Also written as '啹' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term that refers to the feeling of accepting somebody who is an adversary. Usage: E.g. 佢上次嬴我令到我好唔gur,不過今次我嬴返佢我就gur哂。Synonym: 啹Reference: https://words.hk/zidin/v/啹

high

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used by native Hong Kongers to refer to getting high or excited. Usage: E.g. 尋晚唱K唱到好high。 E.g. 你咪成日喺到自high啦。

cheap

Definition: (adj.) A euphemistic way of saying 'cheap' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 喂,你唔洗咁cheap嘛? E.g. 你正cheap精黎架! E.g. Cheap到咁樣,我真係第一次見。Synonym: 低俗
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