Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that overseas educated Hong Kongers use to emphasize that something is not a complex problem.

Usage: E.g. 呢個問題唔係rocket science。再一齊諗諗佢就解決得到。

Reference: https://www.mi-learning.com/itsnotrocketscience-meaning/

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers as a trendier way to refer to artificial intelligence because it sounds more powerful like an entity that is capable of operating on its own rather than something that is just man-made as the Cantonese term denotes.

Usage: 上司：萬一發現AI可以取代你，高層要郁你我都保你唔住呀。你見我隻字不提你就好醒水啦，AI咁勁，分分鐘郁埋我㗎死仔 (Boss: In case people find out that AI can replace you, I can't protect you if the senior executives have to fire you. You see I am not mentioning anything to them so you better be smart. Since AI is so powerful, it might even fire me in a minute, you brat.)

Synonym: 人工智能

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3874628/page/1

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

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '跳過'.

Usage: E.g. 條題目好難。skip左先啦。

Synonym: 跳過

Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/生活/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-gt12-772959/

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 is often used in the workplace environment of Hong Kong to refer to a proposal document.

Usage: E.g. 老細叫你打嗰份proposal打完未呀？E.g. 今次份proposal太短喇，又唔夠detail。再打過啦。

Synonym: 計劃書

Definition: Originated from meat being very expensive back in the 1950s, this is a Kongish code-mixing idiom used by native Hong Kongers who like to joke about giving birth to a piece of cha siu rather than their children.

Usage: E.g. You are so naughty and never do well in school! I would rather give birth to a cha siu than you!

Synonym: 生舊叉燒好過生你

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-生舊叉燒好過生你-better-to-give-birth-to-char-siu-than-you/#:~:text=Sik6%20caa1%20siu,back%20into%20its%20own%20court.

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term often used by the younger generation to describe something or someone as very skillful or powerful. (勁）

Usage: E.g. You won the competition?! Ho ging ah! (Very outstanding) E.g. You are so ging at basketball! (Very skillful) E.g. This computer is so ging! (Very powerful)

Synonym: 勁

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%2520alternative%2520to%2520“hou%2520ging,jeng”%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by overseas educated Hong Kongers who want to express their sincere gratitude towards someone without saying 'thank you' repetitively.

Usage: E.g. 唔該哂你幫我手呀。I really appreciate it.

Synonym: 我好感激你

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKwHZnk1ZNs

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that a Jayden Mami likes to repeatedly use to order their children to show gratitude to someone.

Usage: E.g. Katherine, 人地比野你, 你要講 thank you, 你要say thank you, 快D say thank you. (Katherine, when people give you something, you need to say thank you, you have to say thank you. Say thank you quickly!)

Synonym: 講多謝

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVAkhPqj83Z/ (use mobile version)