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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 822 results

dan so

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term that refers to 'dancing society'. Usage: E.g. 同學:你參加左咩so呀?你:dan so囉。內地學生:什麼?你:唔好意思。係dancing society呀。Synonym: 跳舞學會

act like a crab

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who is bragging about their achievements. (扮哂蟹 - baan6 saai3 haai5) Usage: E.g. A: Stop acting like a crab! You think you are better than me?!Synonym: 扮哂蟹Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-大頭蝦-big-head-prawn-language-hong-kong/

office

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '辦公室'. Usage: E.g. 聽日返office定係work from home呀?Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxrKXQowtvk

communication gap

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to illustrate the distance between two parties in terms of their communication, which is often due to their difference in job positions or departments in a company. Sometimes, it may be caused by forgeting to say "double confirm", which is a common phrase used by Hong Kongers at workplace to really make sure that certain information is correct. Usage: E.g. 其實呢啲communication gap 大家可以做好D減少誤會,寫多兩句confirm is better。(As for these communication gaps, it is better for us all to try and minimise misunderstandings by saying 'confirm' more.)Synonym: 溝通差距Reference: https://www.threads.com/@purpzc/post/C-l0fNJyiZM?hl=en

mix

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to a person with a mixed-race descent. Usage: E.g. A:你係唔係mix黎架?B:乜我似mix咩?多謝。 E.g. A:你係唔係mix黎架?B:係!當然係啦!我係澳門香港mix呀!

challenge

Definition: An alternative way of referring to someone who's getting on your nerves, as the equivalent term '挑戰' in Cantonese sounds too much like a real duel or battle and hence too provocative to use. Usage: E.g. 老闆:夠喇。你唔好係到挑戰我。你:我幾時有挑戰過你呀?! E.g. 老闆:夠喇。你唔好係到challenge我。你:*silence*Synonym: 挑戰

adhoc

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to tasks that have not been planned and must be done at the time as they were assigned. Usage: E.g. 今日公司唔係好忙,不過有好多adhoc野做。Synonym: 臨時工作

old seafood

Definition: Derived from '老屎忽' meaning 'old buttocks', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase used to refer to a person who has high authority in a company but often looks down on the subordinates, points fingers at them, and uses them to his or her advantage. Usage: E.g. My senior is such an old seafood! He just likes to point his finger at people and doesn't do anything himself!Synonym: 老屎忽

PK

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the Cantonese swear word '仆街', which literally translates to 'trip on the street'. Usage: E.g. 聽日交唔到貨就PK喇! E.g. 玩我?! 你個PK!

aware

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to noticing something in a more passive and less intentional way. Usage: E.g. 我唔係唔知道發生咩事,只不過當時我唔係咁aware周邊既環境姐。(It's not that I don't know what was going on, but I was just not aware of my surrounding environment at that time.)Synonym: 意識;知道;察覺;為意Reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/EnglishLearning/comments/1chahae/difference_between_realize_and_be_aware_of/?tl=zh-hant
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