Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Originated from an early pension scheme offered by the Hong Kong government in the 2000's, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a very generous voluntary severance package. Also known as the "golden handshake".

Usage: E.g. Let's apply for a fat chicken meal and retire early!

Synonym: 肥雞餐

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-fat-chicken-meal-肥雞餐-language-hong-kong/

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to a person with a mixed-race descent.

Usage: E.g. Ａ：你係唔係mix黎架？Ｂ：乜我似mix咩？多謝。E.g. Ａ：你係唔係mix黎架？Ｂ：係！當然係啦！我係澳門香港mix呀！

Synonym: 混血兒

Definition: Derived from the noun ‘maintenance’, this is a code-mixing verb used to refer to carrying out maintenance work on something in order to keep it running without errors and issues.

Usage: E.g. D code寫簡短啲，main就容易做啲啦。(Write simpler code so you can carry out maintenance more easily.)

Synonym: Maintenance，維護

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2545265/page/1

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing term meaning homework, which only Hong Kong local students can understand.

Usage: E.g. Jo jor gong for mei ar? (做左功課未呀？） E.g. Nei mong gong for meh? (你忙功課咩？） E.g. Jo sai d gong for la! (做晒D功課喇！）

Synonym: 功課

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

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students when they want to pause and think how to answer a question, even though it doesn't necessarily imply their ignorance.

Usage: E.g. 唔識答就話that’s a very good question, 然後帶佢遊花園 (If you don't know how to answer, just say that's a very good question. Then beat around the bush.)

Synonym: 問得好

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2767347/page/3

Definition: Purportedly to have come from ‘娘’ meaning an old married woman, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone’s appearance as old-fashioned.

Usage: E.g. 你今日著衫好leung！(You dress very old-fashioned today!)

Synonym: 娘

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?14,140076,140076

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to whether people are on the same page of a situation or task.

Usage: E.g. 我覺得我地唔係好sync。可唔可以catch up一吓我地做既野?

Synonym: 同步

Reference: https://www.cw.com.tw/article/5114233

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing term derived from '支持', meaning to support.

Usage: E.g. 全靠大家GCHI，本會終於成功當選，今後仍然需要大家多多GCHI。

Synonym: 支持

Reference: https://hkdic.my-helper.com/gchi/

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers when one feels embarassed about something stupid that he has done but still wishes to admit it honestly. While the phrase is English-sounding with Holland being a western country and Ben being an English name, it is actually homophonous with '好撚笨柒' in Cantonese, which has the literal meaning of 'very f***ing stupid penis'.

Usage: E.g. I forgot my wallet at home! I am Holland Ben 7!

Synonym: 好撚笨柒, Holland Bank Cheque

Definition: Sometimes shortened and pronounced as ‘probay’, this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to the period of time at the start of a new job when one is being evaluated and tested to see whether they are suitable for the job.

Usage: E.g. 過唔到probation通常唔關工作能力事。多數關得罪人事。(Not passing probation usually does not have to do with one's working ability, but rather to with people issues.)

Synonym: 試用期, 緩刑

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3946396/page/2