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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 622 results

hold

Definition: A code-mixing term used to refer to holding something physically (揸), but with the meaning of waiting for the return of something as well. Usage: E.g. Hold住個電話先。 E.g. 個project兒家hold住左,因為要同個客傾返好先。Reference: https://repository.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/tc/item/cuhk-321644

blow water without wiping mouth

Definition: Derived from '吹水唔抹嘴', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to someone who brags about his or her achievements and doesn't take any responsibility for it. ie. To talk bullsh*t. Usage: E.g. Don't believe in what he says! He likes blowing water without wiping mouth all the time! (唔好信佢講既野!佢成日都鍾意喺度吹水唔抹嘴!)Synonym: 吹水唔抹嘴

highlight

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong students like use to refer to highlighting important information with a highlighter pen. (瑩光筆) Usage: E.g. 學生:等我highlight句野先,方便溫書嗰陣時。 老師:考試時記住帶返支highlighter。冇既就要underline架喇。Reference: https://www.weekendhk.com/weekspecial/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-香港人-ctb081-hc-1413297/3/

uncle feet

Definition: Derived from the punning of '縮腳' with '叔' (uncle) having a similar pronunciation as '縮' (to shrink) , this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that is used to tell someone to watch their feet. Usage: Eg. I am mopping the floor. Uncle feet!Synonym: 縮腳Reference: https://youtu.be/_3hhDIErE2g?si=SLsZUTCKhV5cfm8x

wok

Definition: Known as Kongish and derived from the bowl-shaped Chinese frying pan '鑊' (wok), this is a measure word that is often used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a number of different bad situations. Usage: E.g. Big wok! (大鑊 - big trouble has occurred) E.g. Big wok explosion! (爆大鑊 - someone revealed a big secret) E.g. Carry wok. (孭鑊 - To take the blame for someone) E.g. Slip a wok. (跣一鑊 - To set somebody up for some trouble) E.g. To make you a wok. (整你一鑊 - To give someone a trouble) E.g. Let's be cooked together in a wok! (同你一鑊熟 - To get someone else into the same trouble as you)Synonym: 鑊Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-big-wok-%E5%A4%A7%E9%91%8A-language/

surprised

Definition: Often pronounced without the 'd', this is a neutral-sounding code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they are not sure which Cantonese equivalent word to use when something unexpected happens. Usage: E.g. 哇,你考試咁高分,我好surprised呀。(Wow, you scored a high mark in your exam. I'm so surprised.) E.g. 哇,你最近減肥呀?我好surprised呀。 (Wow, you went on a diet recently? I'm so surprised.) E.g. 哇,你有男朋友?我好surprised呀。(Wow, you got a boyfriend? I'm so surprised.)Synonym: 驚喜,驚訝Reference: https://tsangyoksing.hk/2009/10/06/輕音節的正確讀法/

solo trip

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to describe going on a trip by oneself without sounding so alone or single. Usage: E.g. 放假時我比較鍾意solo trip,因為咩都唔洗煩。(I like going on solo trips during holiday because I don't need to bother with anything else.)Synonym: 單獨旅行, 獨旅Reference: https://www.elle.com.hk/life/solo-trip

cut

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to hanging up the phone. Usage: E.g. 又cut我電話?咩事呀? E.g. 呢D sales再打黎cut佢線得架喇。Reference: https://repository.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/tc/item/cuhk-321644

cheque

Definition: (noun) The Hong Kong way of referring to '支票' in Cantonese. Usage: E.g. 可以開張cheque比我嗎?Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

report

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers love to use to refer to '報告'. Usage: E.g. 份report幾時搞掂呀?Synonym: 報告Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/