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 917 results

band

Definition: Often used as '散band', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to dismissing after an event, such as a party.

Usage: E.g. 今晚幾點散band?

Synonym: 解散

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW0x5-SyI4o

seven

Definition: Pronounced as 'se-fun' with a rising tone on the second syllable, this is a shortened term used to refer to the 7-Eleven convenience store.

Usage: E.g. 今日放工記得去seven買野呀。 E.g. 我要去seven交電話費。

wish

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers who believe that making wishes should be done with eyes closed and not involve any '望', which has a literal meaning of gaze or look.

Usage: E.g. 新一年你有咩wish呀?快啲make a wish啦!(What is your wish for the new year? Make a wish quickly!)

Synonym: 願望

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3584700/page/1

water fish

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a person who is easily deceived or fooled.

Usage: E.g. Some people say Hong Kong is an international water fish city! (國際水魚都市)

Synonym: 水魚

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

total

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the total amount of something, such as for goods and services.

Usage: E.g. 呢到total幾多錢呀?

Synonym: 總共

Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

potential

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to display your level of knowledge, as if you come from higher education background.

Usage: E.g. 老闆:我覺得呢個idea好有potential。快D走去落實啦。 E.g. 我覺得你個人好有potential。不過就寸左D。

Definition: Originated from meat being very expensive back in the 1950s, this is a Kongish code-mixing idiom used by native Hong Kongers who like to joke about giving birth to a piece of cha siu rather than their children.

Usage: E.g. You are so naughty and never do well in school! I would rather give birth to a cha siu than you!

Synonym: 生舊叉燒好過生你

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-生舊叉燒好過生你-better-to-give-birth-to-char-siu-than-you/#:~:text=Sik6%20caa1%20siu,back%20into%20its%20own%20court.

banana

Definition: A code-mixing term used by real ABCs in Hong Kong to refer to an Asian who speaks English. Ie. Yellow on the outside and white on the inside. (香蕉)

Usage: E.g. I am not a banana! I know how to speak Chinese!

Synonym: 香蕉

roommate

Definition: A better sounding code-mixing term that is used in place of '室友'.

Usage: E.g. 朋友:你有幾多個室友? 你:你係話失友還是roommate?

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

Define Your Term | Learn More
Feel free to send your comments and suggestions to info@megaexplorer.net.