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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: Transliterated from '玻璃心' meaning 'heart made of glass', this is a code-mixing phrase used by local student Hong Kongers to refer to someone who can be easily hurt and broken, just like as fragile as glass.
Usage: E.g. He is very manly but he is actually a polly shum when it comes to love.
Synonym: 玻璃心
Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now
Definition: An irreplaceable code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the kind of love relationship that one can get while being a teenager or kid.
Usage: E.g. 咁細個就談戀愛？Puppy love呀？ E.g. 唔好成日掛住puppy love啦。讀好D書先啦。
Reference: https://repository.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/tc/item/cuhk-321644
Definition: A code-mixing term used by a Jayden Mami as a broad umbrella term for a variety of different places that serve food in Cantonese.
Usage: E.g. Hailey, Mami頭先同你講去restaurant之前去定toilet。我一早估到你會急架。你兒家睇吓條queue幾long？又要等又要wait喇！(Hailey, Mami just told you to go to the toilet before going to the restaurant. And I have expected that you want to go to the toilet now. But can you see how long the queue is right now? We have to wait and wait again!)
Synonym: 餐廳; 酒家; 飯店; 餐館; 食店
Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DaINmQPARlx/ (use mobile version)
Definition: An Englishised code-mixing term used to describe someone who is so calm and relaxed like the almighty Buddha such that he or she does not have time to chase the opposite sex, but focuses on work and personal interests only. Sometimes, it is also used to describe someone who does not get angry easily when things happened.
Usage: E.g. Why don't you find a girlfriend? Are you the buddha-type person? E.g. *bump* That hurt when you bumped into me! But I'm okay, my friend!
Synonym: 佛系
Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/cantonese-slang-of-the-week-buddha-type
Definition: A code-mixing term used by real ABC Hong Kongers to refer to someone deciding not to do something because they are too frightened.
Usage: E.g. 我地講吓飲啤酒咋喎。你唔係咁快就chicken out嘛？
Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1368997059457323008.html
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
Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to a year where one’s Chinese zodiac offends or clashes with the God of Tai Sui, which means the fortune of the year will not be as smooth as others.
Usage: I was born in the year of the snake and I am fan tai sui this year! Let’s go to the temple to pray for protection and peace!
Synonym: 犯太歲
Reference: https://chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/tai-sui/
Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to the initial stage in a process, such as an interview. At other times, it is also used for the describing the first in a set of social events, such as drinks and dinner.
Usage: E.g. First round既interview會幾簡單。Second round先會問你深入D既問題。(The first round interview will be very simple. The second round will be more in-depth.) E.g. 我今晚唔join first round喇。Second round先再join你地。(I am not going to join first round tonight. But I will join the second round.)
Synonym: 第一輪
Reference: https://www.threads.com/@hkcareerstory/post/C97oprFSuDw
Definition: With a literal meaning of 'humbly receive', this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers who work in Japanese companies to express politeness before starting to eat a meal, which is equivalent to "Let's eat" in English.
Usage: E.g. A: Itadakimas! B: 其實係唔係一定要講？A: 唔係，不過有禮貌啲囉。(A: Itadakimas! B: Do we actually have to say this? A: No, but it's more polite if we do.)
Synonym: 開飯喇, 唔客氣喇, Let's eat
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itadakimasu