Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

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 code-mixing term that is often used to refer to a computer document (文件).

Usage: E.g. 唔該你send份document過黎呀。記住要pdf喎。

Synonym: 文件

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

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: 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 that Hong Kongers often use to refer to downloading files from the internet. ('下載') Sometimes, it is shortened to 'down' instead.

Usage: E.g. Download個file落黎，再send比我呀唔該。

Synonym: 下載

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: Derived from '落狗屎‘, this is a Kongish code-mixing term that refers to raining very heavily, which is equivalent of the phrase 'raining cats and dogs' in English.

Usage: E.g. Wa! Right now is really drop dog sh*t ah! (哇！兒家真係落狗屎呀！)

Synonym: 落狗屎

Reference: https://ling-app.com/yue/cantonese-slang-words/

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to betraying someone after receiving some offer or advantage from them. (食碗面反碗底)

Usage: E.g. I gave you so many benefits and you eat bowl face turn bowl down?!!

Synonym: 食碗面反碗底

Reference: https://www.scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/486w/public/images/methode/2016/01/21/c10168a8-bff3-11e5-9503-d84cbca18933_486x.jpg?itok=sF-XAnJn

Definition: This is a Cantonese slang that refers to a situation where a player has a clear opportunity to score a point. The slangs origin comes from a volleyball game where a sports announcer said "Cha SIU" instead of the word "chance". Although the word came from a volleyball game initially, it's more widely used in badminton games.

Usage: That was a total set up for a smash, total Cha SIU!

Synonym: 食叉燒

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-生舊叉燒好過生你-better-to-give-birth-to-char-siu-than-you/#:~:text=Sik6%20caa1%20siu,back%20into%20its%20own%20court.

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to being rejected. (食檸檬)

Usage: E.g. This time eat lemon la，very chaam chaam pig.

Synonym: 食檸檬

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/8-colloquialisms-unique-to-cantonese