Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who likes leeching off others. (菠羅雞 - bo1 lo4 gai1)

Usage: E.g. That girl is such a pineapple chicken! She just comes every time for the benefits and does not share or contribute.

Synonym: 菠羅雞

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/60017/

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a friend who gets along with you very well, even though it does not always mean it is someone who you can have a deep talk with, unlike '老best' in Cantonese meaning old best friend.

Usage: E.g. 我同我“Best Friend”玩咗好多年，但實際上我從來都無同過佢講我嘅心事，心入面仲會成日妒忌佢，成日當佢係我競爭對手，究竟咁樣仲叫唔叫best friend 呢.... (E.g. I played with my "Best Friend" for years, but in fact I have never shared what is in my heart with him, and would often be jealous of him and treat him as my competitor Is that still called a best friend?)

Synonym: 最好朋友

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/705900/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to scold someone when they are prohibited from swearing in school. At other times, it is used as an onomatopoeia of the beeping sound of Octopus card readers in Hong Kong train service.

Usage: E.g. Doot你咩？！搞污糟我件校服！(F*** you?! You ruined my school uniform!) E.g. 好多人撘地鐵呀。快啲攞張八達通出黎doot部機入閘啦。(So many people taking the train. Take out your Octopus card quickly to doot the machine and enter the gate.)

Synonym: F***, d*u, 嘟

Reference: https://cantowords.com/dictionary/v/114049/doot

Definition: Often complemented with '跌' meaning 'decrease'', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to describe the state of becoming worse and being out of shape, like a decrease in wattage of a device.

Usage: E.g. Sophie 搞咩，同GM 一齊後跌曬Watt, 由女神變平民，噤熄自己嘅光…冇曬自己。(What's wrong with Sophie? After being with GM, she became out of shape entirely. From a goddess to a commoner, she turned off the spotlight on her... and lost herself completely.)

Synonym: 瓦; 功率

Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/BBmvzp26S-/

Definition: (noun) A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe an experience as pleasurable. However, it can also be used to refer to having romantic feelings towards a person.

Usage: E.g. 呢間bar好有feel。(This bar has a good vibe.) E.g. 唔好意思，我對你冇feel。(Sorry, but I don’t have any feelings for you.)

Synonym: 感覺; 氣氛; 心情

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNvk8qHZBN-/ (use mobile version)

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to the activity of finding a job, which definitely sounds more fun, exciting and challenging than the Cantonese equivalent terms '求職' and '找工作'.

Usage: E.g. A: 你搵到工嗎? B: 冇呀，我仲喺到job hunting。

Synonym: 求職, 找工作

Reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/HongKong/comments/1opsow8/job_hunting_socialising_in_hk/

Definition: Originated from the classic riddle '童子軍跳彈床' meaning scout trampoline, this is a code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use to express the meaning of 'I don't f***ing care' in informal situations.

Usage: E.g. A: What do you want to eat for lunch? B: Scout dan la.

Synonym: 是鳩但

Reference: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/童子軍跳彈床——是鳩但

Definition: A romanised code-mixing term that foreignised Hong Kongers use when they want to say ‘yes’ to someone.

Usage: Hong Konger: Are you a gweilo? Foreigner: Hai.

Synonym: 係

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

Definition: Often used as a bilingual pun that rhymes with '分' meaning 'points' or 'share' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use in advertising to attract people to attend an event for the sake of having fun and earning points together.

Usage: E.g. 100FUN樂滿紛 ｜6週年齊FUN享 (100 Fun-Filled Fun | Let's Share Our 6th Anniversary Celebration)

Synonym: 分; 樂趣

Reference: https://www.kkday.com/zh-hk/product/270767?srsltid=AfmBOoozOC0SsPhQP61ffB7h06phXofqw0cf1SPQbf-CHhWuSNHZs5Co

Definition: Often said without a 'bus', this is a chique sounding code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to a vehicle that has more specific and direct route to a destination. However, the Cantonese equivalent '穿梭巴士' may be used more often during holiday as it may sound more enjoyable and less 'chur' to ride on.

Usage: E.g. 我每日返工都有得搭shuttle，好快就到公司。 (I can take the shuttle to work every day and get to to office very fast.)

Synonym: 穿梭巴士，接駁巴士

Reference: https://www.weekendhk.com/網絡熱話/中英夾雜-港式廣東話-香港人-ctb02-by-1413297/2/