Introduction
Loanwords offer a fascinating window into language contact, revealing the intricate processes by which languages evolve and acquire new vocabulary. The dynamic interaction between English and Cantonese has enriched the Cantonese lexicon with a significant number of English loanwords, reflecting the unique cultural history of Hong Kong.
Based on the seminal work of Bauer and Wong (2008), this comprehensive database documents over 700 English loanwords found in Hong Kong Cantonese across a span of 180 years.
Source Materials
- ✓ Printed dictionaries & books
- ✓ Academic journals & theses
- ✓ Local newspapers & magazines
- ✓ Internet forums & discussion groups
Composition
Of the 700+ entries, 85% are purely phonetic transliterations, while 15% combine transliteration with Cantonese morphosyllables that bear a semantic relationship to the English source.
Each entry provides detailed annotations including pronunciation, Cantonese meaning, English source, sample sentences, and documented references.
It is hoped that this collection will illuminate a dynamic and fascinating facet of Hong Kong Cantonese for researchers and enthusiasts alike.
Originally Developed By
Cathy S.P. Wong (Dept. of English)
Roxana S.Y. Fung (Dept. of Chinese & Bilingual Studies)
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Revamped: Feb 2026
Select a word to view details
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This website is supported by the research project entitled “A Sociolinguistic Study on English Loanwords in Hong Kong Cantonese” (從社會學角度研究香港粵語中的英語借詞). It is a project jointly funded by the Department of English and the Dean’s Reserve of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The Principal Investigator of this project is Cathy S.P. Wong (ENGL) and the Co-Investigator is Roxana S.Y. Fung (CBS).
We would take this opportunity to thank a few friends. Without their assistance, this website would not have been made possible.
First and foremost, our heartfelt thanks must go to Dr. Robert S. Bauer. Bob has generously agreed to share the database (Bauer & Wong 2008) with us. He has also given us advice on various parts of our research project.
We are also indebted to Christy Lai (Choi Ting) for her diligence and perseverance in keeping our project on target. It was great to have Christy working for us. Her work is very systematic and meticulous. We would also like to thank Abbey Wong (Ching Man) for completing the task of transferring the database into excel format.
Last but not least, William Chong (Wai Lam) is among the ones we must thank. William is the one who turns our ideas into this website.
Our heartfelt thanks to Lau Chaak Ming for making it possible to re-launch the website.
