Define Your Term | Login
What is code-mixing? | Mission | About | Learn More | Downloads | Lectures | Videos |
Instagram Instagram
English | Chinese

Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 701 results

wun gut

Definition: Derived from 'gut' (吉) meaning nothingness or tangerines, this is a romanised code-mixing slang phrase used to describe someone is messing about and wasting time, which purportedly comes from people in the past going into Hong Kong stores just to drink the bowl of soup called 'gut' soup (吉湯) without spending money on the food at all. 'wun' can mean to mix (混) or to transport (運). Usage: Auntie: Stop tasting my fruits here and there! Are you wun gut?Synonym: 運吉, 混吉Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now

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

Gong hei fat choi

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that Hong Kong expats use to wish someone prosperous and good fortune during Chinese New Year. Sometimes , it may be mistakened as 'Happy new year' by non-Cantonese speaking expats, even though there is nothing really wrong with saying it to people excessively. (Variant: Kung hei fat choi) Usage: E.g. Happy Chinese New Year! Gong hei fat choi! Gong hei fat choi!Synonym: 恭喜發財Reference: https://www.zalora.com.hk/blog/lifestyle/kung-hei-fat-choi-meaning-how-to-respond-and-common-cantonese-new-year-blessings/

opportunity

Definition: A more sophisticated way of expressing chance (機會) in Cantonese, as the English term denotes prospect for advancement or success. Usage: E.g. 好多謝貴公司今日比呢個opportunity我地黎做個presentation.

go through

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to examining something in detail. Usage: E.g. 老闆:開會時記住同大家go through一下今個week既items。Reference: https://www.story001.com/post-196.html

hard feeling

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to avoid the use of sensitive negative vocabulary when they want to describe a situation where there can be anger or resentment involved when disagreement happens. Usage: E.g. A: 雖然我地達唔到共識,但係大家都唔好有hard feeling, ok? B: OK,明白。 (A: Even though we did not reach a consensus, we should not have any hard feelings okay? B: Okay, understood.) E.g. A: 雖然我地達唔到共識,但係大家都唔好有怨恨, ok? B: 講咩呀你?我幾時有怨恨?! (A: Even though we did not reach a consensus, we should not have any resentment okay? B: What are you talking about? When did I have resentment?!)Synonym: 憤怒, 怨恨, 不快Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3777161/page/1

somehow

Definition: A way to avoid losing face or embarassment when you do not know how to answer the boss's question. However, it can be considered unprofessional if used too much at a workplace. Usage: E.g. 你:我搵過好多次,但係somehow條數搵唔到。老細:哦,係呀?(你:我搵過好多次,但係唔知點解條數搵唔到。老細:咁實有原因架喎?) E.g. 你:個printer somehow壞左呀。老細:哦。(你:個printer唔知點解壞左呀。老細:我唔想聽到唔知點解!)

dead air

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '冷場' (laang5 ceong4), which literally translates to 'cold scene'. Usage: E.g. 考口試最緊要唔好dead air。Synonym: 冷場Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

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/

I mean

Definition: A tag-switching phrase often used by Native Hong Kongers for clarifying on matters. However, it can sometimes be overused by Fake ABC's to strike a western impression on others. Usage: E.g. 份project未搞掂呀。I mean,我岩岩做完要check吓先。 E.g. 港女:你應該食少D野。I mean,你應該減吓肥至岩。 E.g. 香港人:你講咩話?偽ABC:I mean,well... I mean,我覺得你身材唔係好fit囉I mean。Reference: https://www.academia.edu/8666953/Common_usage_of_code-mixing_among_trilingual_Hong_Kongers
Define Your Term | Learn More