Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Also written as '啹' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term that refers to the feeling of accepting somebody who is an adversary.

Usage: E.g. 佢上次嬴我令到我好唔gur，不過今次我嬴返佢我就gur哂。

Synonym: 啹

Reference: https://words.hk/zidin/v/啹

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing term transliterated from ‘咗’, which is equivalent to the ‘-ed’ particle for past tense in English.

Usage: E.g. Jo jor gong for mei ar? (做咗功課未呀？） E.g. Sik jor farn mei ar? (食咗飯未呀？）

Synonym: 咗

Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/2019/11/16/the-use-of-transliteration-in-kongish/

Definition: Pronounced as 'm-tee-ah-lo', this is a code-mixing term used by the grassroot class Hong Kongers to refer to the train station.

Usage: E.g. Foreigner: Excuse me, where is the MTR? HK'er: What? Foreigner: Where is the 'm-tee-ah-lo'? HK'er: Oh I understand! 'm-tee-ah-lo' is over there!

Synonym: 港鐵

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term for 'professional'. (adjective)

Usage: E.g. 哇，你打tennis好pro呀。可以叫你一聲大佬嗎？ E.g. 耳機都買到咁靚？洗唔洗咁pro呀？

Synonym: 專業

Definition: Often used as 'Ah sir' (阿sir), this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a male teacher. (Also see 'Missy' for female teacher)

Usage: E.g. 阿sir，我今日冇帶功課。可唔可以唔好罰我呀？

Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

Definition: Often added with a ‘lor’ (囉) denoting a tone of reluctance, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to say sorry or apologize to someone.

Usage: E.g. Ａ： 喂，你踩到我隻腳喎！Ｂ：SOR囉。(A: Hey, you stepped on my foot! B: SOR LOR.)

Synonym: 對唔住，sorry

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DScomA6EVMW/?img_index=1&igsh=MWNwaWNrd2tkM3JtYg== (use mobile version)

Definition: A shortened form of 'sorry' that is often used by Hong Kongers.

Usage: E.g. Sor，唔小心踩到你。 E.g. *碰到人* Sor，sor，sor。

Synonym: Sorry, 對唔住

Definition: A less cliche and irritating sounding code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to quickly test or experience something first, in order to know whether it is suitable for them in the long term.

Usage: E.g. 有新game出左？等我try吓先。 (A new game came out? Let me try first.) E.g. 買左件衫比我？等我try try先。 (Bought a shirt for me? Let me try try first.)

Synonym: 嘗試, 試

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2866301/page/17

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to the DIY handicrafts that can be easily made by anyone, even though such crafts do require creativity to be unique enough like the fine arts sometimes.

Usage: E.g. A: 請問你地啲手工藝係咪真係幫到人舒緩壓力？你地係咪讀心理學架？B: 吓？我都想。其實我地都係偏向arts架。(A: May I ask whether your handicrafts really help people to relieve their stress? Do you study psychology? B: What? I wish I do. Actually, we lean more towards the arts.)

Synonym: 美術, 勞作

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kong girls to refer to showing loving kindness towards a person to a point where you could be having a crush on that person.

Usage: E.g. 素海霖：你太care我 care到我覺得你鍾意我 (Erena So: You care too much about me to the point where I feel you like me)

Synonym: 關心

Reference: https://www.stheadline.com/film-drama/3587216