Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A chic-sounding code-mixing term used in Hong Kong Cantonese that shows the speaker's education background and western appeal.

Usage: E.g. 唔好意思，我週末要去shopping。唔得閒應酬你。 E.g. 做人唔shop下ping邊得呀？

Synonym: 購物

Reference: https://sites.google.com/site/hongkonglinguistics/Downhome/language-contact-in-hong-kong/cantonese-englishintra-sententialcode-switchinginhongkong

Definition: A nicer-sounding phrase than '重複檢查' or '檢查兩次', which means to check again or check two times.

Usage: E.g. 每次考試時記住double check份卷。

Definition: Originated from French, this is a code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to ordering single dishes individually.

Usage: E.g. 如果你唔鍾意叫set dinner，你可以叫 à la carte。(If you don't like to order the set dinner, you can order single dishes.)

Synonym: 單點; 散嗌; 散叫

Reference: http://paper.wenweipo.com/2011/12/21/ED1112210026.htm

Definition: A code-mixing term used by waitresses at the famous Tam Jai Sam Gor noodle restaurant to refer to something that is fixed, such as food items on a menu.

Usage: E.g. 譚仔阿姐：個餐係set咗咁多個餸架。唔洗你揀。(Tam Jai waitress: The meal is already set with that many food items. No need for you to choose.)

Synonym: 設定

Reference: https://www.scmp.com/postmag/food-drink/article/3286078/hong-kongs-tam-jai-noodle-joint-waitresses-are-stars

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use when they want to illustrate a point from a certain person’s role, but without much emphasis on what it means to be in that role entirely.

Usage: E.g. 或者只係as一個消費者去against for尊重及權益：呢個只係好first step嘅抗議。我地有權維護自己利益，再而就罷買 (Or just as a consumer to against for respect and rights - This is just a very first step protest. We have the right to uphold our own interests and then boycott as a consumer.)

Synonym: 作為

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/113938/page/23

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who fails to show up in an event. Also, used as 'to fly somebody an airplane'.

Usage: E.g. We all agreed to go shopping this weekend. Please don't fly airplane! (放飛機） E.g. I know you are busy, but don't fly me an airplane again! (放我飛機)

Synonym: 放飛機

Definition: (adj.) An irreplaceable code-mixing term used to describe an unhappy state, especially when a person has been devastated by someone.

Usage: E.g. 喂，你知唔知人地係會好hurt架？ E.g. 喂，你咁講野人地係會好hurt架。 E.g. 點都好，你應該唔好hurt到人先岩。

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 phrase used by grassroots Hong Kongers when they want to express gratitude for something they have received, such as an email with an attachment. However, the working class Hong Kongers realise that this is probably not such a suitable term for them to use so they say 'Noted/Received with thanks'.

Usage: E.g. Well-received with thanks.

Synonym: 收到

Reference: https://graduate.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/35656/電郵技巧｜商用電郵｜職場英語-10個打工仔常犯的英文email錯誤-please-kindly-well-received-with-thanks-都係錯-內附正確寫法

Definition: Pronounced with a rising tone on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that refers to 'calculator'.  Also used as 'cal機' sometimes.

Usage: E.g. 唔該借個cal機比我呀？ E.g. 試下用caltor check吓個answer。

Synonym: 計數機

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uik5GWvXiLA&t=210s

Definition: (vulgar) Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to call someone a bastard or son of a bitch. Also has the meaning of gigolo, which originated from Fuzhou in China. (契弟)

Usage: E.g. You are dead meat, sworn brother! (契弟) E.g. Oh gosh we are doomed. This time we are gonna be sworn brothers. (做契弟） E.g. So you’ve been treating me like a sworn brother all along? （當我契弟） E.g. Sworn brother walks slowly. （契弟走得摩）

Synonym: 契弟

Reference: https://baike.baidu.hk/item/%E5%A5%91%E5%BC%9F/7349815