Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Derived from the noun ‘maintenance’, this is a code-mixing verb used to refer to carrying out maintenance work on something in order to keep it running without errors and issues.

Usage: E.g. D code寫簡短啲，main就容易做啲啦。(Write simpler code so you can carry out maintenance more easily.)

Synonym: Maintenance，維護

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2545265/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to the stage of a meal where the main dish is served. As to why ‘course’ is more often used than ‘dish’ compared to the Cantonese phrase ‘主菜‘, it may be to do with the upper class etiquette that the stage of a meal is more important than the dish itself.

Usage: E.g. 食semi-buffet質素好過buffet, 起碼個main course係入得落口 (The quality of eating semi-buffet is higher than buffet, at least the main course is decent.)

Synonym: 主菜

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3120803/page/3

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a smaller kind of conference room for general purpose, such as having a small group meeting, 1 on 1 interview, zoom call, etc. However, it does not mean people should do all sorts of things in it such as chitchatting loudly and having a social party.

Usage: E.g. 呢排轉咗工，但公司係Shared Office。入面大部分都後生仔女。就算唔係坐埋一張枱都聽到佢哋大聲講大聲笑。啲meeting room又唔係多，長期俾人霸哂。到真係俾我book到都仲聽到出面啲聲 (E.g. I changed job recently, but the company is a shared office and most people are young, Even when I was not sitting at their table, I could still hear them talking and laughing out loud. There were also not many meeting rooms, so they were occupied for a long time. And when I booked a room, I could still hear their noise outside.)

Synonym: 會議室

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/4007435/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by real ABC Hong Kongers to say 'please', 'excuse me' or 'thank you', depending on the situation. (唔該)

Usage: E.g. Mm goi. (To call the waiter at a restaurant) E.g. Mm goi jeh jeh (Excuse me, please let me through) E.g. Mm goi sai! (Thank you very much!) E.g. Set A lunch, mm goi. (Set A lunch, please) E.g. Mm goi, where is the MTR? (May I ask where is the MTR?)

Synonym: 唔該

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%2520alternative%2520to%2520%E2%80%9Chou%2520ging,jeng%E2%80%9D%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.

Definition: Transliterated from '冇厘頭' meaning 'with no source', this is a Kongish code-mixing term that is used to describe something that makes no sense. It originated from a type of slapstick humour associated with Hong Kong popular culture in the late 20th century, most notably in Steven Chow's (周星馳) movies.

Usage: E.g. I think this story is mo lei tau! But it gives me a very good laugh! (我覺得呢個故事簡直係冇厘頭！不過真係好搞笑！)

Synonym: 冇厘頭

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo_lei_tau

Definition: An idiom made popular by the toy product 'Need Son Ng Need Mum', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to the Chinese family tradition of favouring sons over daughters in carrying on a bloodline.

Usage: E.g. A: Do you think you come from a traditional family? B: Yes! Need son ng need mum!

Synonym: 要仔唔要乸, 重男輕女

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@apetoys/post/DNfCsgkP2qd/限量預訂嘩曱甴懷孕動物-要仔唔要乸-第六彈-小強系列need-son-ng-need-mum-small-strong-series全12款1隱藏款每盒都有男b

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers who really miss hearing the word Eve from Christmas Eve so much that they wished Christmas could prolong to the new year.

Usage: E.g. New Year’s Eve你會同朋友交換禮物嗎？B: 吓，唔係聖誕節先會交換禮物咩？！(Will you exchange gifts with friends on New Year's Eve? B: What? Don't people exchange gifts during Christmas instead?)

Synonym: 除夕

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/知性女生/60307715/除夕倒數2026-10大倒數好去處-迪士尼煙花-西九音樂會-倒數派對

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by Hong Kong expats when they want to order something in a restaurant but don't know how to read a menu.

Usage: E.g. Mm goi waiter! Ni gor please!

Synonym: 呢個, this

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by upper class Hong Kongers to establish trust with customers when promoting a business.

Usage: E.g. No bullsh*t let's go！跟住 HKTCG 我哋一齊贏！(Let's win together with HKTCG!)

Synonym: 少廢話，來吧

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@khdcheung/post/DX02bSTEc-M?xmt=AQF0lZjxc45QjrCh3--CSn7W3dC_HoSGA08fDOIdafdfko2qCBQj9p7NjCpfwaSQfVGackI&source_surface=35&slof=1

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that working class Hong Kongers often use as a response to something they don't know an answer to.

Usage: E.g. Q: 返工最撚憎聽到咩口頭蟬？A: No Comment 唔係開會/回覆其他部門啲 email. 係同 team 同事有嘢唔識走嚟問你意見，答乜撚嘢 No Comment (Q: What is a catchphrase that you hate hearing the most at work? A: "No comment". But not when it is used in meetings or replying other department's email. It is when a colleague in your team doesn't know something and asks for your opinion, you reply with "No comment". XDXDXD)

Synonym: 冇意見

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2692508/page/3