Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A more polite way to refer to a person's standpoint, as the Cantonese equivalent term '點', meaning a dot, can refer to a woman's breast.

Usage: E.g. 男人：喂，我真係好唔明你個point喎！女人：唔緊要。我慢慢解釋比你聽。 E.g. 男人：喂，我真係好唔明你個點喎！女人：你話我邊點呀？唔好性騷擾喎！

Reference: https://medium.com/@girlslearnenglish/你說話會中英夾雜嗎-被-污名化-的中英夾雜-why-code-mixing-is-totally-fine-32eb1f280ca

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe people who are really just minding their own business but not necessarily alone or single.

Usage: E.g. 呢間bar啲人點呀？係唔係個個都好individual咁樣呀？ (How are the people in this bar? Are they all really just minding their own business?)

Synonym: 單獨

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@matthew_lam1116/post/DAcSyqdScem?hl=zh-hk

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to getting out of the singles' pool so that you are finally dating someone!

Usage: E.g. 我平時咁宅，估唔到有一日會出pool。

Definition: A more neutral-sounding term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to '購物' or '買野', which signify the commitment to buying things.

Usage: E.g. 女朋友：我地聽日去商場啦。男朋友：吓？又買野？！女朋友：唔係呀。去shopping咋嘛。 E.g. 女朋友：我地聽日去shopping啦。男朋友：又買野？！女朋友：去window shopping咋嘛。

Reference: https://www.academia.edu/1177618/Cantonese_English_code_switching_research_in_Hong_Kong_A_survey_of_recent_research

Definition: Often used as a bilingual pun that rhymes with '分' meaning 'points' or 'share' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use in advertising to attract people to attend an event for the sake of having fun and earning points together.

Usage: E.g. 100FUN樂滿紛 ｜6週年齊FUN享 (100 Fun-Filled Fun | Let's Share Our 6th Anniversary Celebration)

Synonym: 分; 樂趣

Reference: https://www.kkday.com/zh-hk/product/270767?srsltid=AfmBOoozOC0SsPhQP61ffB7h06phXofqw0cf1SPQbf-CHhWuSNHZs5Co

Definition: A code-mixing term used to refer to holding something physically (揸), but with the meaning of waiting for the return of something as well.

Usage: E.g. Hold住個電話先。 E.g. 個project兒家hold住左，因為要同個客傾返好先。

Synonym: 揸

Reference: https://repository.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/tc/item/cuhk-321644

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: (verb) A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers love to use to refer to hanging out and having fun, especially in bars and clubs.

Usage: E.g. 今晚諗住去邊到wet呀? E.g. 媽：比心機讀書。唔好成日掛住we we wet wet啦！

Synonym: 蒲

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/624997/21句顯老潮語-好in-kai子聽到打冷震-m嘢-格格蕉蕉咩意思#media_id=6904876

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: Originated from Italian meaning 'milk', this is a code-mixing used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to the type of coffee made with espresso and hot steamed milk, which they believe should not be as heavy as other kinds of coffee as the term '拿鐵' denotes, which has the literal meaning of 'carry metal'.

Usage: E.g. 唔該，我想要一杯tall size既latte。(Excuse me, may I have a tall sized latte?)

Synonym: 拿鐵

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3648151/page/1