Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: (noun) A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to visual look or pattern of something rather than the planning and structure of how something works.

Usage: E.g. 有冇潮人講既呢對鞋個design 個設計精髓 (Any trendy person is talking about the design of this shoe, or the design essence?)

Synonym: 設計

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3008007/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers who believe that making wishes should be done with eyes closed and not involve any '望', which has a literal meaning of gaze or look.

Usage: E.g. 新一年你有咩wish呀？快啲make a wish啦！(What is your wish for the new year? Make a wish quickly!)

Synonym: 願望

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3584700/page/1

Definition: Often pronounced with a '屎' (faeces) at the end of the word, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the overall dimensions of something.

Usage: E.g. 請問呢件衫有咩size呀？。

Synonym: 大小

Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students when they absol-f***ing-lutely agree with what the other person is saying. In other cases, it can be used as an adverb to describe something resembles the appearance or description of another thing.

Usage: E.g. A: 你老友今日病左所以唔食buffet? B: Exact7ly. (A: Your friend couldn't eat buffet today because he is sick? B: E-f***ing-xactly. E.g. 你同你弟弟個樣exact7ly一模一樣。(You and your brother look exactly the f***ing same.)

Synonym: 正柒是

Reference: https://www.facebook.com/100069834671890/posts/9250444321648514/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Definition: A code-mixing term used by grassroots class Hong Kongers to refer to how thoroughly cooked a steak is, which is equivalent to ‘well done’ in native English.

Usage: E.g. 個鬼佬轉另轉頭問我: whatxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx? 我好自豪 充滿自信 大大聲答: GOOD JOB!! 個鬼佬就呆哂 唔明我無啦啦做乜講GOOD JOB咁 女友見到 即刻幫我答:WELL DONE (The western waiter then asked me: whatxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx? I was proud and confident and answered loudly: GOOD JOB! The western waiter was speechless and didn't understand why I said good job. When my girlfriend saw this, she immediately helped me answer: WELL DONE)

Synonym: 全熟

Reference: https://amp.lihkg.com/thread/561255/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a relatively small number of people or things being put together but probably not big enough to be an organisation or entity.

Usage: E.g. 我地間公司係一個group，不如加入我地既whatsapp group再傾吓我地可以點合作？(Our company is a group. What about joining our Whatsapp group so we can talk about how we can work together?)

Synonym: 組, 組織, 集團

Reference: https://resources.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/23487/職場熱話-被迫加入廿個公司group-員工-不停彈訊息-連apple-watch都壞埋

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: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use when talking about work, as the Cantonese equivalent terms may denote a higher responsibility.

Usage: E.g. 呢件事你handle可以嗎？（處理） E.g. 咁多功課hand唔handle到呀？（應付） E.g. 公司既財政邊個handle架？（負責）

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to not being strict enough when managing people. Also, it often tends to depict a weakness in character by describing a person is not forceful or harsh enough.

Usage: E.g. 同事話我太soft管唔到學生，我聽完好灰。(My colleague said I am too soft and cannot manage students like this. I felt very grey afterwards.)

Synonym: 不嚴厲

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DU-fcZMgjI7/ (use mobile version)

Definition: Orginated from the Korean phrase 'saranghae' meaning 'I love you', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to wasting someone's f***ing time.

Usage: E.g. 我好鍾意睇韓劇，但係有時我覺得Ｄ劇情幾saranghae。(I really like watching Korean drama, but sometimes the plot is quite a waste of f***ing time.)

Synonym: 嘥撚氣

Reference: https://www.edigest.hk/社會熱話/愛你嘥氣？-五個似廣東話的韓文-265/2/