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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 822 results

sync

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to whether people are on the same page of a situation or task. Usage: E.g. 我覺得我地唔係好sync。可唔可以catch up一吓我地做既野?Synonym: 同步Reference: https://www.cw.com.tw/article/5114233

count down

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to counting down on New Year’s Eve because they were never familiar with anything related to ‘數' since they never attended local schools that taught difficult Math in Chinese. Usage: E.g. New Year’s Eve嗰日你會去邊到count down? (Where will you go for count down on New Year's Eve?)Synonym: 倒數Reference: https://www.esquirehk.com/lifestyle/east-hong-kong-sugar-anime-skyline-countdown-to-2026-party

mai daan

Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to ask the waiter to get the bill. Usage: E.g. Mai daan, mm goi! (埋單, 唔該!)Synonym: 埋單Reference: https://homekong.com.hk/blogs/read/helpful-cantonese-phrases-to-know

fire

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong actor 楊偉倫 to express loyalty to his boss in the movie of Night King that he would absolutely go all out and brave any danger and obstacles. Usage: E.g. 「我土地,學富五car,如果他朝有一日,你真的開鴨店的話,我赴湯蹈fire,做你頭牌!」(I'm Land, learned and knowledgeable like five cars. If one day you really open a male escort club, I'll brave any danger, go all out, and be your top male escort!)Synonym: 赴湯蹈火Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/娛樂/夜王-黃子華-金句-1863616/3/

alma mater

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to the school that a person had graduated from. However, working class and grassroots Hong Kongers may know this term but not use it because it sounds too Latin than English. Hence, they find ‘mother school’ is more sensible and practical to use. Usage: E.g. 你既alma mater係邊間學校?Synonym: 母校, mother schoolReference: https://youtube.com/shorts/Br8CWgYQNak?si=aFaIMvdv2YSnCxvh

cancer

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers like to use to refer to a serious disease that kills normal cells and causes death. Usage: E.g. A:唔好食咁多公仔麵,如果咪生cancer架。B:啋過你把口!Synonym: 癌Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ

freelance

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to the type of work done for companies independently with much flexibility and freedom, which resembles the origin of the word that referred to a medieval mercenary who would fight for whoever paid them the most. Usage: E.g. 接邊間公司既freelance做先最賺錢呀?緊係呢間啦!(Which company should I earn me the most doing a freelance job for? Definitely this company!)Synonym: 自由工作Reference: https://www.threads.com/@duoproduction/post/C_pdWgzS9qd

cc

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers love to use to refer to sending a copy of an email message to another recipient. Usage: E.g. 份email記住cc埋比所有人。Synonym: 抄送

kai

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to someone who is silly and stupid. ie. An imbecile. Usage: E.g. 唔好成日咁KAI喺到亂咁嗌啦!你係低能定係白痴架?! E.g. Don't be so kai yelling all the time! Are you low b or an idiot?

bend machine

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers to describe having an overly powerful ability to do something, such as winning a game. Usage: E.g. I can't believe you are winning every game! Are you bending machine?!Synonym: 屈機Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-cantonese-slang-internet
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