10 random words out of 701 results
Definition: Often pronounced as ‘ah-lo’, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to the letter ‘r’. Even though some Hong Kongers are aware of the prestigious ‘r’ that is pronounced rhotically, most of them choose not to say it in social situations because it sounds too pretentious like a fake American born Chinese.
Usage: E.g. 去日本旅行要搭JR。(Going on vacation in Japan needs taking the J Ah-lo.)
E.g. 請問MTR喺邊到? (May I ask where is the M-tee-ah-lo?)Synonym: Ah-lo
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to something that is so obvious that there is no need to ask anyone about it, especially after finding out the wrong of somebody. 'Ah Gui' is a name that originated from an infamous official (李世桂) in the Qing Dynasty.
Usage: E.g. It must be him who let out the secrets! No need to ask Ah Gui!Synonym: 唔洗問阿貴Reference: https://www.kamadelivery.com/blog/posts/香港10大俗語-地道文化背景大解構/
Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term that refers to describing a matter as something else, especially in politics.
Usage: E.g. 鍾培生：阿林作好鍾意將件事spin到同政治有關。
Definition: An ultra polite code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who really know how to sincerely say sorry or apologise to someone.
Usage: E.g. Do姐：全部都錯。嗱，唔係sorly，係sorry，捲脷架。(Carol Cheng: All wrong. It's not sorly, it's sorry, you have to roll your tongue.)Synonym: Sor, 對唔住Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPgONqRk7Qc/?igsh=NWZ3ODYzdjBydmdj (use mobile version)
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who is crazy, or a situation that is outrageous or unbelievable. (痴線 - ci1 sin3) Literal meaning: To have your electrical wires touching. Ie. Short circuit in the brain.
Usage: E.g. Chi sin! You used all your money to gamble?!
E.g. Chi sin! The restaurant gave me the wrong bill!
E.g. Chi sin! You won the lottery?!!Synonym: 痴線Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/8-colloquialisms-unique-to-cantonese
Definition: Used to refer to setting things up in Cantonese.
Usage: E.g. 伙記：等我set好張枱先再叫你入黎啦。 客人:好呀。
E.g. 個server set up左未呀？
Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong teachers to make it clear and explicit that their students are essentially dead if they hand in their homework or assignment late, as the Cantonese equivalent phrase ‘截止日期’ does not denote the meaning of death at all.
Usage: E.g. 聽日就係deadline, 唔交功課就零雞蛋！(Tomorrow is deadline. If you do not hand in your homework, you will get a zero mark!)Synonym: 截止日期Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/809281/page/1
Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers often use to refer to changing something in order to improve or make it new again, such as a website.
Usage: E.g. 個website做revamp要幾耐？Synonym: 翻新
Instagram
