Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong local students to refer to the quality of being rough or even unkind, in addition to being strict in following rules or standards.

Usage: E.g. 個professor好charm啊，但係有少少harsh... (The professor is very charming, but is a little harsh.)

Synonym: 嚴格; 嚴厲

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/86453/page/4

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to cheering up a person such as a child in order to make them happy again or stop crying or being angry. At times, it can also refer to coaxing or persuading someone gently in order to convince them.

Usage: E.g. 首期一人一半,都無落佢名,tum住佢話遲啲再買多層落佢名免稅 (E.g. The down payment was split among us in half, and I did not even put her name down for the flat. So I coaxed her by saying I will buy another flat for her tax-free.)

Synonym: 氹

Reference: https://amp.lihkg.com/thread/3214136/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to someone who was born or grew up in a particular country, which Hong Kongers find it a lot more convenient to use than the Cantonese equivalent words because it requires much less linguistic effort.

Usage: E.g. 你係唔係native speaker黎架？（講本國語既人） E.g. 你Ｄ英文係咪native架？（純正本土口音）

Reference: https://www.studocu.com/hk/document/city-university-of-hong-kong/world-englishes/lecture-3-city-university-of-hong-kongen5714-world-englishes-and-the-social-context-of/20063922

Definition: A more suitable way to describe how close a relationship is than the word ‘親密’ （intimate）.

Usage: E.g. 你同你個friend close唔close架？E.g. 你有幾多個close friend？

Synonym: 親密

Definition: Often pronounced as 'ha-lo', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers often use to greet somebody instead of '你好', which sounds too formal sometimes.

Usage: E.g. Ha-lo，我叫Peter。你叫咩名？

Synonym: 哈佬

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to strongly express promise in doing something when the other person does not believe in you. (批個頭比你當凳坐)

Usage: E.g. If I don't return my money back to you by tomorrow, then I cut my head and let you sit on it as a chair!!!

Synonym: 批個頭比你當凳坐

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

Definition: (noun) A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to visual look or pattern of something rather than the planning and structure of how something works.

Usage: E.g. 有冇潮人講既呢對鞋個design 個設計精髓 (Any trendy person is talking about the design of this shoe, or the design essence?)

Synonym: 設計

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3008007/page/1

Definition: It's slang for when a person eats something and it's unsuccessfully digested. Resulting in the food being pooped out the next day still intact.

Usage: I'll pass on corn or string mushrooms guys. I don't want a "see you tomorrow" situation happening tomorrow morning

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to an employee with an experienced background, but not necessarily the adequate skills to do the job.

Usage: E.g. 我條team條senior，叫佢廢物都覺得侮辱左廢物依個詞語，日日例牌遲到都算，咩都唔識 (E.g. As for my team's senior, I think it would even be an insult to the word 'rubbish' if I were to call him rubbish. Not only is he late every day, but also he does not know anything.)

Synonym: 資深; 高級

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2386628/page/1

Definition: Often pronounced as 'launch', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a club lounge in a hotel.

Usage: E.g. 唔該，請問個lounge喺邊？我想搵個位坐吓先。

Synonym: 休息聽

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mz8kUbNcMw