Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to having enough guts to do something. (夠薑)

Usage: E.g. If you have enough ginger, then fight me!

Synonym: 夠薑

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

Definition: A slightly more polite sounding code-mixing term that real ABC's in Hong Kong like to use instead the Cantonese equivalent '大佬', meaning 'big brother', even though the literal meaning is usually not taken when used, just like the word 'dude'.

Usage: E.g. Dude，你係到搞D咩呀？ E.g. Dude，你好還錢喇喎？ E.g. Dude，你以為你自己好型呀？

Synonym: 大佬

Definition: Often mistaken as 'no thanks' or refusal to an offer, this is a code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers to acknowledge someone's gratitude, which is comparable to 'You are welcome'.

Usage: E.g. 岩岩做野果時幫佢手 佢同我講Thanks。我諗唔到除左No Thanks/ It’s Fine之外仲有咩回應。(When I started working for him at that time, he used to say 'thanks'. But I could not think of any phrases other than 'No Thanks/It's fine' as a response.)

Synonym: 唔洗唔該

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/599066/page/1

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that refers to giving irrelevant responses to questions.

Usage: E.g. A：你去邊？ B：我知道。Ａ：Nine not following eight!

Synonym: 九唔搭八

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-nine-not-following-eight/

Definition: A code-mixing term often used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to the day that work must be handed in and finalised.

Usage: E.g. 老闆:下次知道要搞咁耐就早Ｄ返公司喇。 下屬:你話有野要交比個客睇，但係冇話過係deadline喎。 E.g. 老闆:今日係ｄｅａｄｌｉｎｅ，做唔完野要ＯＴ。 下屬:Ｄ野一早就做哂喇。

Synonym: 截止日

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who sleeps very late and doesn't wake up early. Similar to 'night owl' in English. (夜貓/夜鬼)

Usage: E.g. Maintain good health by sleeping early! Don't be a night cat / night ghost!

Synonym: 夜貓/夜鬼

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/55996/

Definition: Originated from the word 'start', this is a code-mixing term used by the Hong Kong government to refer to the starting point of a running track.

Usage: E.g. 再有政府設施串錯英文。「起點」英文串法由正確的「Start」變為「Strat」。(There is an English word mispelled in a government facility again. The word "Start" became "Strat".)

Synonym: 起點, start

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWMLrukj_sZ/?igsh=d2NkZXFvN3AycjZt (use mobile version)

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a telephone number.

Usage: E.g. 香港人：可唔可以交換number呀？內地人：咩number呀？香港人：緊係電話number啦。

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uik5GWvXiLA&t=210s

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by upper class Hong Kong girls who are really honest about how much money they spend.

Usage: E.g. 我需要啲咩啫，嚟嚟去去我咪又係食叉燒飯、意粉，I don't really spend money.（我根本唔花錢）對我嚟講無關係，我真係無嘢。(E.g. What do I really need? Wherever I go I just eat barbeque pork rice, pasta, I don't really spend money.(I don't spend money at all) Money doesn't matter to me, I really don't care.)

Synonym: 我根本唔花錢

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60359289/jw王灝兒分手後啞忍兩年-眼濕濕平反拜金論-我仲使乜入tvb拍劇?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01appshare

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers in the IT sector like to use to refer to the local environment of a computer.

Usage: E.g. 你要喺local試吓run個program，然後再upload上去個server到試。

Synonym: 本地