Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers when someone sneezes, which is similar to 'Bless you!' in English. (大吉利是)

Usage: E.g. A: Ack-choo! B: Big tangerine and red packets!

Synonym: 大吉利是

Definition: Often used in a Jayden Mami parody, this is a code-mixing term used by a typical Hong Kong modern mother to refer to physical uncleanliness in a mildly negative way.

Usage: E.g. Jayden做咩趴喺條street度呀，個ground好dirty㗎，仲要比d dog踩上你個頭度，你再唔get up mami就angry㗎啦。(Jayden, why are you lying on the street? The ground is so dirty, and you're letting a dog step over you. If you don't get up, Mami will be angry.)

Synonym: 污糟

Reference: https://eastweek.stheadline.com/pets/18474/Jayden媽咪是誰社交網絡爆紅兼殺入毛孩界

Definition: A more linguistically efficient code-mixing term that refers to 'my favourite' in English. Originated from Hong Kong actor Ron Ng (吳卓羲).

Usage: E.g. 呢到既牛腩河係至正架！簡直係ｍｙ ｆａｖｉｔ！E.g. 吳卓羲：「Tailin, 賣飛佛（泰林，我的最愛）」

Synonym: 賣飛佛; 我的最愛

Reference: https://evchk.fandom.com/zh/wiki/賣飛佛

Definition: Often added with a 屎 (faeces), this is a code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers use to refer to short pieces of information written down on paper.

Usage: E.g. 阿仔，上堂記住drop低D note屎呀！

Synonym: 筆記

Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ

Definition: A romanised code-mixing term that is used by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong to refer to '罨耷', which usually refers to a place being shabby or in poor condition.

Usage: 港女：Im so broke so I went into a random updup maiseen place eat din alone but then I realize the place is too dirty and updup...

Synonym: 罨耷

Reference: https://topick.hket.com/article/2254771/wuddud＝核突%E3%80%80港女「流利」港式英語投訴米線店考起網民

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers when they admire or recognise the value of someone or something and want to show gratitude at the same time.

Usage: E.g. 好appreciate你咁短時間去練廣東話，真係好彩你聲底好靚，同埋你音樂感好好，即使廣東話唔係你最擅長嘅。(I really appreciate that you learned Cantonese in such a short period of time. It's very fortunate that you have a great voice and a very good music sense, even though Cantonese is not your strength.)

Synonym: 欣賞；感激；多謝

Reference: https://ol.mingpao.com/ldy/showbiz/latest/20260122/1769072872519/《中4》藝人代表「貓女郎」引發腹式呼吸之爭-肥媽被取笑鬧爆周國豐

Definition: A code-mixing term that is used in place of '交'.

Usage: E.g. 同學：份功課幾時due呀？你：好似聽日due得喇喎。

Definition: A word used by Hong Kong people to express absolute affirmation, which is comparable to 'Bingo!'

Usage: E.g. 係喇，係喇。Exactly! E.g. 岩喇！呢個就係我exactly想講既野。 E.g. 我唔係太get你exactly想講咩。

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe strenuous tasks that are almost impossible to complete.

Usage: E.g. Getting my son to do homework is like pulling a cow up the tree!

Synonym: 拉牛上樹

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms

Definition: Used to refer to setting things up in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 伙記：等我set好張枱先再叫你入黎啦。 客人:好呀。 E.g. 個server set up左未呀？