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Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a person who is a yellow-skinned Asian but speaks English very well. I.e. Yellow on the outside but white on the inside like a bamboo stick. (竹升)
Usage: E.g. Please don’t treat me like a bamboo stick! (竹升) I know how to speak Chinese!
Synonym: 竹升
Definition: Often used as '散band', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to dismissing after an event, such as a party.
Usage: E.g. 今晚幾點散band?
Synonym: 解散
Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW0x5-SyI4o
Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to negotiating terms and conditions of an employment agreement or contract in addition to just the salary.
Usage: E.g. Offer人工太低 簽約嗰陣仲有無得bargain? (If I am being offered a low salary, can I still bargain when signing the contract?)
Synonym: 講價
Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/1130972/page/1
Definition: Often used as 'baby pig' (BB豬) in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to call their lovers.
Usage: E.g. BB豬，你買D咩生日禮物比我呀？
Synonym: 寶貝
Definition: 許多香港人的廣東話是直接由英文翻譯過來，譬如Bearing，Barrack。平時口語叫「啤1令2」及「1巴1叻」(讀力第1聲)，比起說「輪軸」及「儲物房」在交流上更加方便易明。(Many Hong Kongers translate Cantonese directly from English, such as Bearing and Barrack. Said as "啤1令2" and "1巴1叻" (pronounced 1st tone), it is more convenient and understandable than saying "wheel shaft" and "storage room".)
Usage: 車輪啤令鬆脫，電動車在行車時發出了雜聲 (The wheel bearing came loose, causing the electric vehicle to make abnormal noises while driving.)
Synonym: 啤令，巴叻; 士巴拿spanner
Definition: Originated as 'beat patrol' from London Metropolitan Police, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers often use as 'walking the beat', which refers to patrolling a designated area on foot as a police officer.
Usage: E.g. 警員今日要行 beat。(Police officers need to go on patrol today.)
Synonym: 行咇
Reference: http://paper.wenweipo.com/2018/12/04/WH1812040003.htm
Definition: An Englishised code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers to describe having an overly powerful ability to do something, such as winning a game.
Usage: E.g. I can't believe you are winning every game! Are you bending machine?!
Synonym: 屈機
Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-cantonese-slang-internet
Definition: Often expressed as ‘老best’ meaning 'old best', this is a code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers to refer to a best friend that a person has known for a long time. (呢個好大部分時候係攞嚟應用自己啲friend呀樣表達自己個friend係好老友囉咁樣)
Usage: E.g. 你哋睇下呢個係我老best。(Let me show all of you. This is my old best friend.)
Synonym: 睇下呢個係我個好朋友, 老友, old best friend
Reference: https://mingpaomonthly.com/article/details/語文．書話/2025-02/1737624129007/老best、bestie有咩分別？%20（歐陽偉豪）
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: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone being forgetful and careless, such as forgetting their keys or where they put their phone. (大頭蝦 - daai6 tau4 haa1)
Usage: E.g. A: You forgot to bring your wallet? Such a big head shrimp!
Synonym: 大頭蝦
Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-大頭蝦-big-head-prawn-language-hong-kong/
