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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

upgrade

Definition: A code-mixing term meaning to further oneself's studies. Usage: E.g. 做人要不斷upgrade自己先夠充實架嘛。
2023-03-02

probation

Definition: Sometimes shortened and pronounced as ‘probay’, this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to the period of time at the start of a new job when one is being evaluated and tested to see whether they are suitable for the job. Usage: E.g. 過唔到probation通常唔關工作能力事。多數關得罪人事。(Not passing probation usually does not have to do with one's working ability, but rather to with people issues.)Synonym: 試用期, 緩刑Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3946396/page/2
2026-03-09

awkward

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to a social situation where one feels very strange and uncomfortable, rather than an embarrassing situation where one feels ashamed or humiliated, as the Cantonese equivalent term '尷尬' can take on any of those two meanings. Usage: E.g. 本來咁多人約左出黎食飯點知得返你地兩個，會唔會覺得好awkward? (Originally many people were going to have a meal together, but only two of you came. Did it feel awkward?)Synonym: 尷尬Reference: https://www.threads.com/@janemanic.english/post/DHpmw9YRm-y/很多人分不清-embarrassedembarrassing-和-awkward雖然它們都有尷尬的意思但用法不同-embarrassed-形容人的感受例如-i-?hl=zh-hk
2026-01-24

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

fax

Definition: A code-mixing term used to refer to the fax machine (傳真機). Often used as 'fax機' or 'fax屎機'. Usage: E.g. 部fax機work唔work呀？ E.g. 唔該幫我fax呢張野過去呀？ E.g. 請問收唔收到我張fax屎呀？Reference: https://repository.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/tc/item/cuhk-321644
2023-03-04

boil telephone congee

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to talking on the phone for hours. (煲電話粥) Usage: E.g. Stop boiling telephone congee with your friend every day!Synonym: 煲電話粥Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/8-colloquialisms-unique-to-cantonese
2024-04-21

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！
2023-03-02

list

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '列出'. Usage: E.g. List哂D item落張紙先，然後去超市買野就唔會唔記得。Synonym: 列出Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/
2024-04-20

eat banana

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to tell someone to eat sh*t or cock. (食蕉） Usage: E.g. Hahaha! You lose this game! Eat banana la!Synonym: 食蕉Reference: https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/16113/what-does-蕉-mean-in-cantonese
2024-04-22

LV

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to the famous French luxury brand ‘Louis Vuitton’. However, the grassroots class Hong Kongers may pronounce it as ‘eh-lo-wee’. Usage: Ａ：你最想買邊隻手袋呀？Ｂ：唔洗問緊係ＬＶ啦。(A: Which handbag do you want to buy? B: No need to ask. Must be LV.)Synonym: Louis VuittonReference: https://amp.lihkg.com/thread/3065984/page/1
2025-11-30
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