Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A useful alternative if your boss is tired of hearing the word 'somehow' when you want to avoid saying 'I don't know' to a question.

Usage: E.g. For some reason個file corrupt左。 E.g. For some reason個printer壞左。 E.g. For some reason今次個客唔搵我地。

Definition: Derived from the idiom '眼大睇過龍', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to failing to notice something. ie. To overlook.

Usage: E.g. A: Where is my phone? B: It's right here in front of you. You are really 'eyes big see through dragon!'

Synonym: 眼大睇過龍

Reference: https://youtu.be/_3hhDIErE2g?si=SLsZUTCKhV5cfm8x

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that refers to something that is so funny that one can die from having too much laughter.

Usage: E.g. Laugh die me喇！真係好搞笑呀。（笑死我）

Synonym: 笑死我

Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/tag/kongish/

Definition: A chic-sounding code-mixing term that refers to year-end bonus (花紅) in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 你間公司今個年尾有bonus嗎?

Synonym: 花紅

Reference: https://aclanthology.org/O09-5003.pdf

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to the formal document sent by a seller to a buyer as a request for payment, which is be differentiated from a receipt.

Usage: E.g. 你俾完錢收到嘅果張係叫收據，係receipt，但啲大陸人係統一叫發票。(What you receive after payment should be called a receipt, but mainland Chinese people also refer to it as an invoice.)

Synonym: 發票; 請款單

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2808375/page/1

Definition: 1. (adj) This is a code-mixing word that refers to being outdated. 2. (verb) To instruct someone to be eliminated or get out of the room.

Usage: E.g. 你兒家先聽呢首歌？你真係好out呀。(adj) E.g. 你同我out！(verb)

Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to uploading files to the internet. ('上載')

Usage: E.g. 快D幫我upload張相去IG啦！

Synonym: 上載

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to something that is so obvious that there is no need to ask anyone about it, especially after finding out the wrong of somebody. 'Ah Gui' is a name that originated from an infamous official (李世桂) in the Qing Dynasty.

Usage: E.g. It must be him who let out the secrets! No need to ask Ah Gui!

Synonym: 唔洗問阿貴

Reference: https://www.kamadelivery.com/blog/posts/香港10大俗語-地道文化背景大解構/

Definition: Pronounced as 'lig', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to computer lag.

Usage: E.g. 部機好似唔夠RAM，好lag機呀。

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers like to use to refer to giving or providing something, in order to help achieve a goal.

Usage: E.g. 麻煩大家contribute一吓個discussion。

Synonym: 貢獻

Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ