Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

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/

Definition: A way to avoid losing face or embarassment when you do not know how to answer the boss's question. However, it can be considered unprofessional if used too much at a workplace.

Usage: E.g. 你：我搵過好多次，但係somehow條數搵唔到。老細:哦，係呀？（你：我搵過好多次，但係唔知點解條數搵唔到。老細:咁實有原因架喎？） E.g. 你：個printer somehow壞左呀。老細:哦。（你：個printer唔知點解壞左呀。老細:我唔想聽到唔知點解！）

Synonym: 唔知點解

Definition: Pronounced as 'shalup', this is a code-mixing term used to tell somebody to shut up immediately.

Usage: E.g. 好鬼嘈呀！快D shalup啦！ E.g. 同學：Shalup！老師就快到喇！

Synonym: 收聲

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers when they want to express their dissatisfaction towards someone or something when they are running out of patience. Also, a 'la' particle is usually added to the end of it to emphasize the casual tone.

Usage: E.g. Ａ：個客講左D咩? Ｂ：咪話過要呢樣又嗰樣囉，總之whatever啦。(A: What did the client say? B: Said they wanted this and that, just... whatever la.) E.g. Ａ：今餐想食Ｄ咩？ Ｂ：Whatever啦。(A: What do you want to eat for this meal? B: Whatever la.)

Synonym: 咩都好啦

Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1505250505201422336.html

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used by Hong Kongers instead of '在家工作'.

Usage: E.g. 我今日真係爽呀，可以work from home。成日煲netflix都得啦！

Synonym: 在家工作

Definition: A code-mixing term by native Hong Kongers to avoid saying the word 'like' in order to sound more professional in formal situations, or to avoid sounding biased when you like one item more than another.

Usage: E.g. 你prefer今星期邊一日interview呀？ E.g. 你prefer幾點睇戲呀？ E.g. 我prefer佢個idea多D。

Synonym: 比較喜歡

Definition: A code-mixing term that can also be used to refer to a non-human object.

Usage: E.g. 咁快開波？等我warm up吓先。 E.g. 同事A：喂，部機咁慢既？ 同事B：部機要warm up吓先得架。

Definition: Often pronounced as 'grandma', this is a code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use to refer to the set of rules that define the structure of a language, which can be difficult and annoying sometimes like a grandma.

Usage: E.g. 今次考試要考埋英文grammar。真係好麻煩呀！(The exam will also cover English grammar this time. So frigging annoying!)

Synonym: 語法

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3389792/page/1

Definition: 1. (noun) A word used instead of the Cantonese equivalent to denote the meaning of casual wear. 2. (verb) A word used to tell another person to be casual, informal, and relaxed. 3. (adj.) A word used to describe something as being informal, such as an event.

Usage: E.g. 同事: 聽日著casual得喇，知道嗎？ E.g. 今日食飯casual D得喇。(隨便) E.g. 我聽日要去個casual既聚會。(非正式)

Synonym: 隨便; 非正式

Reference: https://www.esquirehk.com/mens-talk/simon-shen-hong-kong-english-chinese

Definition: A way to avoid sounding too imaginative when you want to suggest things that are impossible to happen.

Usage: E.g. Let’s say你有日比人老粒左，你會點呢？ E.g. Let’s say你考試肥佬左，你會點面對你家人？ E.g. Let's say你比人打獲金，你會唔會還拖？