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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 822 results

gen

Definition: Derived from ‘generate’, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers like to use to refer to generating report using a computer. Usage: E.g. 幾時gen到份report?Synonym: 生成Reference: https://hk.ulifestyle.com.hk/topic/detail/20052582/香港職場30個中英夾雜用語-內地網民-自己會粵語也聽不懂/1

folder

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that is used instead of the Cantonese equivalent '文件夾' to refer to a physical folder or a virtual folder on a computer. Usage: E.g. 喺你個desktop上面開個folder,然後將你既file放入去。 E.g. 老師:唔該把所有功課放喺你個文件夾入面。同學:吓?文件夾?老師,你係邊到黎架?Synonym: 文件夾

arts

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to the DIY handicrafts that can be easily made by anyone, even though such crafts do require creativity to be unique enough like the fine arts sometimes. Usage: E.g. A: 請問你地啲手工藝係咪真係幫到人舒緩壓力?你地係咪讀心理學架?B: 吓?我都想。其實我地都係偏向arts架。(A: May I ask whether your handicrafts really help people to relieve their stress? Do you study psychology? B: What? I wish I do. Actually, we lean more towards the arts.)Synonym: 美術, 勞作

idea

Definition: A code-mixing term that is more generic and appropriate to use in a number of different situations. Usage: E.g. 我覺得你個idea好好呀!(主意) E.g. 你唔係一D idea都冇呀?(想法) E.g. 呢隻遊戲既idea算唔錯。(概念) E.g. 你提出既idea同我好唔同。(觀點) E.g. 廣告既idea就係要人買野。(目的)Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

fake

Definition: Originated from sports and often used with a ‘咗’ in Cantonese denoting past tense, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to deceiving someone with a posture or misinformation rather than something like a fraud or scam, even though it can be serious at times causing real inconvenience to people. Usage: E.g. 俾 "轉工要趁後生" 呢句嘢fake咗 (I got misled by the saying "Take the opportunity to change jobs while we are young".)Synonym: fake咗Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3004954/page/2

chee sor

Definition: A romanised code-mixing term that real ABC’s like to use to refer to toilet. (廁所) Usage: E.g. Excuse me? Where is the chee sor?Synonym: 廁所Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%2520alternative%2520to%2520“hou%2520ging,jeng”%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.

chicken out

Definition: A code-mixing term used by real ABC Hong Kongers to refer to someone deciding not to do something because they are too frightened. Usage: E.g. 我地講吓飲啤酒咋喎。你唔係咁快就chicken out嘛?Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1368997059457323008.html

reservation

Definition: A classy code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to arranging something for use at a later time, such as a table or room. Usage: E.g. 唔該可唔可以幫我make個reservation留兩張枱?(Excuse me, can you help me make a reservation for two tables?)Synonym: 預訂Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3981159/page/19

enough ginger

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to having enough guts to do something. (夠薑) Usage: E.g. If you have enough ginger, then fight me!Synonym: 夠薑Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

JD

Definition: Short for 'job description', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kong HR departments like to use to refer to the piece of text that describes the job nature and responsibilities of a position in a company, which may be long or short depending on how much they want an applicant to know about the job. Usage: E.g. 又話會send份JD比我睇?你send左去邊度?(I thought you were going to send me the JD to have a look? Where did you send it to?)Synonym: 工作內容Reference: https://english.cool/job-description/
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