Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to marking something in order to show that it is chosen or correct.

Usage: E.g. 快D tick點心紙啦。我好餓呀。(Tick the dim sum order form quickly. I'm so hungry.)

Synonym: 剔

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DWL_RQQysfH/ (use mobile version)

Definition: Purportedly to have been a typo, this is a code-mixing term used by Hong Kong actress singer Shiga Lin to tell someone to rest in peace.

Usage: E.g. Fast & Furious has always been one of my favourite movies. A great actor, may Paul Walker Rest in Piece.

Synonym: 安息

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU5bBdbn4A8

Definition: A code-mixing term used by the upper class Hong Kongers to refer to the Italian luxury brand. However, the grassroots Hong Kongers pronounce it as '飛甩雞毛', which means the chicken dropping its feathers.

Usage: E.g. Ａ：你著緊咩牌子？飛甩雞毛？Ｂ：係Ferragamo呀。

Synonym: 飛甩雞毛

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a restaurant located inside a school or company. However, it is worth noting that the origin of the word is from Europe and should not to be confused with ‘can-ting’ or ‘can-teng’ in Mandarin or Cantonese (餐廳), which start with the ‘ts’ sound instead of ‘k’ sound in ‘can’.

Usage: E.g. 今日好多人呀！快啲落canteen霸位啦！(There are so many people today! Let's go to the canteen to hog the seats first!)

Synonym: 飯堂; 食堂 ; 餐廳

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSKkZbOEqPJ/ (use mobile version)

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to the rules being set on how you should wear for a situation or event.

Usage: E.g. 聽晚要去公司function？有冇話咩dress code呀?

Synonym: 服裝規範

Reference: https://www.englishok.com.tw/toeic/toeic-issue/crystal_lee_english_speaking

Definition: A way to express how nice someone is on the surface.

Usage: E.g. 佢個人好nice，但係識耐左先知道原來係虛偽。E.g. 佢個人好nice，不過唔知個人好唔好呢？

Synonym: 友善

Definition: 1. (noun) Often used as 'Ah head', this is a code-mixing term that refers to the boss or leader of a company or department. 2. (verb) Used to refer to being led by a person, usually someone of higher authority.

Usage: E.g. 你間公司個阿Head係邊個？我要見佢！\nE.g. 你醒目就唔會成日比人head住啦。

Synonym: 阿頭

Definition: (idiom) Derived from '雞同鴨講', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe two people who are unable to understand each other due to a difference of language or values. In other words, the conversation just seems to go round and round with each person talking over each other.

Usage: E.g. I think we will never understand each other because we work in different departments. What a chicken and duck talk!

Synonym: 雞同鴨講

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-word-of-the-month-雞同鴨講-chicken-duck-talk/

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to express disbelief at someone in fulfilling a promise. (比個官你做)

Usage: E.g. You say you will return your money by tomorrow? I let you be the government official!

Synonym: 比個官你做

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong students use to refer to the subject 'psychology'.

Usage: E.g. 讀psycho難唔難呀？聽講今年有好多人肥左。

Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf