HKDictionary

Cantonese Slang Locals Use

Textbooks won't teach you these, but you'll hear them in every Hong Kong conversation. Words like 勁 (ging6, awesome) and 抵 (dai2, worth it) instantly make your Cantonese sound natural. Learn the pronunciation and when to use each one.

ging6/3勁
strong; powerful; vigorous; sturdy
zing˗₃正
rectify; correct; set right
saiˉ¹犀leiˍ₆利
sharp; incisive; acute; scathing
daiˊ²抵
offset; substitute; balance; compensate
songˊ²爽
feeling high/great/terrific; comfortable

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Frequently asked questions

What does 勁 (ging6) mean in Cantonese?

It means awesome or powerful — 好勁 (hou2 ging6) is really impressive. It is everyday slang you will not find in textbooks.

How do you say something is worth it in Cantonese?

抵 (dai2). At a market, 好抵 (hou2 dai2) means great value — handy for shopping and bargaining.

What does 正 (zeng3) mean?

正 means great or excellent — Hongkongers use it for anything they love, from food to a film.

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