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: (adj.) A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to describe the small miniscule parts of something or something as being comprehensive.

Usage: E.g. 因為隻舞係我哋自己編，Sean同大Hugo編，佢哋知道個detail位係邊，佢哋講得好清楚，所以就好快上手啦 (Because the dance was being arranged by us - Sean and Hugo. They knew the detailed parts of it and explained it very well so we could learn it so quickly.) E.g. 洗唔洗咁detail呀？ (Does it need to be that detailed / comprehensive?)

Synonym: 細緻; 詳細

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZHDDcIFiMy/?igsh=MW00bDQyZ2ZvdHkwMQ== (use mobile version)

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to talk about a topic with someone or a group of people and have them share their ideas and opinions.

Usage: E.g. 不如一齊discuss吓個project點樣做？ E.g. 我地discuss吓個問題，然後再結論。可以嗎？

Synonym: 討論

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to gestures and customs that an employee must do or learn when they work in a company.

Usage: E.g. 老細黎到仲唔識DO? 快D讓座同沖杯咖啡比佢啦！ E.g. 打工仔要識DO先得，如果咪好快冇得撈。

Synonym: 做

Reference: https://www.etnet.com.hk/www/tc/lifestyle/archive/goodjob/23372

Definition: A trendy-sounding code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to pressing twice on a mouse or touchpad quickly and gently.

Usage: E.g. 我點樣 fix 我嘅滑鼠每次想 click 一下嘅時候，都會 double click 呢？(How can I fix my mouse? Whenever I click it, it clicks twice?)

Synonym: 雙擊

Reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/u21xlf/how_do_i_fix_my_mouse_double_clicking_whenever_i/?tl=zh-hant

Definition: Even though the word 'double' may seem redundant, this is a code-mixing expression that is often used in the workplaces of Hong Kong when you want to verify something.

Usage: E.g. 可唔可以double confirm吓個schedule呀？ E.g. 唔該幫我double confirm吓每一個detail呀。

Synonym: 雙重確認

Reference: https://smelab.com.hk/職場英語-double-confirm-reconfirm/

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to computer that has become unavailable, possibly due to a crash.  Sometimes, it is used as the shortened version of 'download'.

Usage: E.g. 大獲喇！公司server down機呀！快Ｄ搵人整呀！（當機） E.g. Down完個file未呀？咁耐既？（下載）

Synonym: 當機; 下載

Reference: https://www.studocu.com/hk/document/city-university-of-hong-kong/world-englishes/lecture-3-city-university-of-hong-kongen5714-world-englishes-and-the-social-context-of/20063922

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to the rules being set on how you should wear for a situation or event.

Usage: E.g. 聽晚要去公司function？有冇話咩dress code呀?

Synonym: 服裝規範

Reference: https://www.englishok.com.tw/toeic/toeic-issue/crystal_lee_english_speaking

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers love to use to refer to a programmer or developer especially if they are one themselves because it makes them sound like a profession.

Usage: E.g. A: 你做咩IT行業? 寫program嗰D? B: 唔係。我係engineer。(What kind of IT industry are you from? Are you a programmer? B: No, I am an engineer.)

Synonym: 工程師

Reference: https://tecky.io/zh_Hant/blog/Programmer-分多少種-2022-23/

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to the amount of money that a candidate hopes for a job but often never receives.

Usage: E.g. 致hr. 如果expected salary 你比唔到，請你唔好call人去interview (To Human Resources Department: If you can't pay the expected salary, please don't call someone for an interview)

Synonym: 期望薪金

Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/BATTJ3hLeN/