Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

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

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to the attraction between two people.

Usage: E.g. Ａ：你話佢地兩個有冇chemistry呢？Ｂ：你係指work定係sexual chemistry呢？ＬＯＬ。

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing term meaning "I don't know", which is derived from '唔知'.

Usage: E.g. Me also 5g. (我都唔知)

Synonym: 唔知

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/283411/大學生打字用火星文-10句港式英文拼音大挑戰-測試你識幾多#google_vignette

Definition: Often complemented with '野' meaning 'thing', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to some freebie or reward that comes with buying something or writing a review for a purchase. At times, it can also refer to any additional work that is out of the scope of an employee's role that they don't frigging want to do.

Usage: E.g. 開po出文幫手宣傳，真係會有extra野送 (If you post an article to help advertise a product, there will really be extra things rewarded.) E.g. 外賣仔的工作係餐廳出貨後送貨去你屋企無責任做extra野 (The job of a delivery person is to deliver food to your home after the restaurant prepares it, and they have no responsibility to do anything extra.)

Synonym: 額外

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3951705/page/1

Definition: With a literal meaning of 'hot air', this is a romanised code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to having overheat from eating too much spicy or fried foods, leading to pimples and freckles growing on your face or even buttocks. Also, yeet hay seems to only exist in Chinese medicine but not western medicine according to native Hong Kongers.

Usage: E.g. A: Do you want to eat barbeque? B: No thanks, I am very yeet hay recently.

Synonym: 熱氣

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/C7PVDJZpVgq/ (use mobile version)

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that real ABC's like to use to show that they are friendly and easy to talk to.  Sometimes, a 'man' is added to the end of the phrase for emphasis.

Usage: E.g. 喂，how's it going？近排幾好嗎？ E.g. How's it going man？！今晚得閒去bar嗎？

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers love to use to refer to hanging out and having fun, especially in bars and clubs.

Usage: E.g. 今晚諗住去邊到wet呀? E.g. 媽：比心機讀書。唔好成日掛住we we wet wet啦！

Synonym: 蒲

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/624997/21句顯老潮語-好in-kai子聽到打冷震-m嘢-格格蕉蕉咩意思#media_id=6904876

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that working class Hong Kongers use to describe a business structure that scams people and is prone to collapse or failure, as 'chicken' (雞) in Cantonese can also be used to describe something cheap or weak.

Usage: E.g. This company has people coming to work and leaving the job all the time! Such build chicken shed!

Synonym: 搭雞棚

Reference: https://ukdodgy.com/2024/04/06/scam

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to a less physical directing of attention onto something. Sometimes, it may be used in order to avoid sounding like one has ADHD.

Usage: E.g. 老師，我頭先focus唔到聽書，可唔可以再講多次？(Teacher, I really can't focus on listening to your lecture. Can you repeat again?)

Synonym: 專注; 集中

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/CynQSwpSd-P/?img_index=5 (use mobile version)

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/