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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary
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10 random words out of 701 results

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
2024-04-20

team work

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong celebrity tutors to refer to a collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal. Usage: E.g. 狀元培育向來都是team work. （Nurturing top scorers has always been team work.)Synonym: 團體合作Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRGmhTQjT1N/?igsh=NWtoNHZ6OGRyOW8x (use mobile version)
2025-11-21

double check

Definition: A nicer-sounding phrase than '重複檢查' or '檢查兩次', which means to check again or check two times. Usage: E.g. 每次考試時記住double check份卷。
2023-03-04

collect skin

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to tell somebody to shut the f**k up. It is used instead of the Cantonese equivalent '收皮' in order to tone down the directness of this very rude phrase. It originates from street vendors who used to pack their things up on wooden mats when police arrived back in those days of Hong Kong. Usage: E.g. 喂，講完未呀？Collect skin啦。E.g. 真係頂你唔順呀，快D collect skin啦。Synonym: 收皮Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now?utm_campaign=likeshopme&utm_medium=instagram&utm_source=dash+hudson&utm_content=www.instagram.com/p/Cy8AD_WtaxO/ (use mobile version)
2023-10-29

router

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers use to refer to an equipment that helps connect computer networks together. Usage: E.g. 個router係咪壞左？點解冇network既？Synonym: 路由器Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ
2024-10-23

elaborate

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local and overseas educated Hong Kongers when they want to testify a person's knowledge or believe that the other person can be more eloquent in expressing their ideas. Usage: E.g. 唔好意思。我唔明你講咩喎。你可以elaborate一吓嗎？(I’m sorry. But I don’t understand what you are talking about. Can you elaborate?)Synonym: 詳細說明
2025-10-31

bra

Definition: A more subtle way for Hong Kongers to refer to the undergarment worn by women, as the Cantonese equivalent term '胸圍' may sound too explicit and embarrassing in mentioning the female's body part. Usage: E.g. 哎呀，我今日唔記得左載bra添。Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201902353/201902353_1.pdf
2023-03-04

laugh die me

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that refers to something that is so funny that one can die from having too much laughter. Usage: E.g. Laugh die me喇！真係好搞笑呀。（笑死我）Synonym: 笑死我Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/tag/kongish/
2024-04-20

stir-fried squid

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to getting fired from a job. (炒魷魚 - caau2 jau4 jyu2) Usage: E.g. I messed up at work today and I got stir-fried squid!!!Synonym: 炒魷魚Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-老細炒咗我魷-stir-fried-me-squid/
2024-04-21

blow water

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term that refers to chatting casually or bragging about something. Usage: E.g. 收皮啦！唔好再blow water！Synonym: 吹水Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/tag/kongish/
2024-04-09
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