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Hong Kong Series

Personal Project, 2020

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01. {撚 • Lun} - Translation [Dick]

In Hong Kong, you can call someone a “dick face” if he is an absolute dickhead. The meaning is pretty much the same as “dickhead”. Genitals are the most common swear words in most languages, but why always genitals? Do you have any “dickhead” equivalent in your language? 

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02. {閪 • Hai} - Translation [Cunt]

Say no more. You can call someone a “cunt face” if you really hate her (super strong language) Why are swear words always related to genitals and sex in most languages? Are our genitals really bad and disgusting?

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03. {木瓜 • Muk Gwaa} - Translation [Papaya]

In Hong Kong, papayas symbolise breasts. Some older people also believe eating papayas can increase breast size.

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04. {囉柚 • Law Yau} - Translation [Pomelo]

Hongkongers refer big buttocks as “pomelo” because of its round shape. Traditionally, pomelos are eaten during Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival, every 15 Aug). It’s because when the full moon rises in the sky, the shape of it looks like a pomelo. This is why 15 Aug can also mean round butts. Do you have a pomelo butt?

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05. {𨳍 • Chut} - Translation [Limp Dick]

The real meaning of {𨳍 • Chut} is loss of erection. So it is used to describe things or people that are “retarded”, “moronic” or “embarrassing”... The pronunciation of it is very similar to number 7 in Cantonese. This is also why you can call someone “7” in Hong Kong.  Have you ever been "7" in your life?

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06. {Pat Pat} - Translation [Booty]

Do you know booties are called “Pat Pat” in Hong Kong? If you wonder why, simply slap your booty and the booty slapping sound will explain itself. What do you call your booty? 

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07. {食豆腐 • Sic Dau Fu} - Translation [Eat Tofu]
Eating tofu refers when someone taking advantage of another person, either man or woman, in a sexual situation. This idiom is not used to refer to actual sexual harassment but mostly said in a joking manner these days.


The origin of “Eat Tofu” came from a reference to married men going to tofu shops, that were normally run by attractive young women, to flirt or even take advantage of those tofu shop owners sexually. In order to sell more tofu, the tofu shop owners would flirt back with those married men. Therefore, the jealous wives would confront their husbands and say “you went to eat tofu again?!”

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