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Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

A contemporary Cantonese-English dictionary


10 random words out of 822 results

revamp

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers often use to refer to changing something in order to improve or make it new again, such as a website. Usage: E.g. 個website做revamp要幾耐?Synonym: 翻新

dirty

Definition: Often used in a Jayden Mami parody, this is a code-mixing term used by a typical Hong Kong modern mother to refer to physical uncleanliness in a mildly negative way. Usage: E.g. Jayden做咩趴喺條street度呀,個ground好dirty㗎,仲要比d dog踩上你個頭度,你再唔get up mami就angry㗎啦。(Jayden, why are you lying on the street? The ground is so dirty, and you're letting a dog step over you. If you don't get up, Mami will be angry.)Synonym: 污糟Reference: https://eastweek.stheadline.com/pets/18474/Jayden媽咪是誰社交網絡爆紅兼殺入毛孩界

single dog

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers as a more abstract way of referring to a person's relationship status without a partner than emphasizing the physical body as ‘單身’ denotes in Cantonese. Even though 'dog' is seen as a derogatory term, the phrase is often treated as a common everyday joke than it is really mocking someone seriously. Usage: E.g. 無論班女仔fd幾大班,三個又好,五個又好,十幾個又好,都係得我係single dog (No matter how big my group of female friends is, three or five or ten, I am the single dog.)Synonym: 單身狗Reference: https://amp.lihkg.com/thread/708381/page/1

Engrish

Definition: A code-mixing term that Fake ABC Hong Kongers use when they want to challenge another person’s English by stressing the prestigious 'r' sound in English even when there is no r sound in an English word. Usage: E.g. Do you know Engrish? E.g. I'm sorry I don't speak Chinese. Can you speak Engrish?Synonym: EnglishReference: https://zh.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Engrish&oldformat=true&variant=zh-hk

finish

Definition: Often added with a ‘咗’ like the ‘-ed’ form in English for past tense, this is a code-mixing term that is used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to having completed something, such as an event or project. Usage: E.g. 你地finish咗個project未呀? E.g. 終於finish咗個event!Synonym: 完成Reference: https://www.businesstimes.com.hk/articles/157451/創新科技獎學金2024-挑選25位傑出大學生-每人最高15萬港元獎學金/

Aiya

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used as an interjection to express frustration or annoyance when something surprising occurs. (哎呀) Usage: E.g. Aiya! I missed the bus! E.g. Aiya! I dropped the cake! E.g. Aiya! I just needed one more mark to pass the test!Synonym: 哎呀Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/seven-cantonese-phrases-that-should-be-in-the-oed

big ear hole

Definition: Derived from '大耳窿' with '窿' sounds like 'loan' in English, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to a person or company that offers loans at extremely high interest rates. Usage: E.g. Don't borrow money from this company. It is a big ear hole!Synonym: 大耳窿

menu

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to the list of dishes available at a restaurant. (餐牌) Usage: E.g. 伙記,唔該比個menu我睇呀。Synonym: 餐牌Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

rocket science

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that overseas educated Hong Kongers use to emphasize that something is not a complex problem. Usage: E.g. 呢個問題唔係rocket science。再一齊諗諗佢就解決得到。Reference: https://www.mi-learning.com/itsnotrocketscience-meaning/

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。
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