Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers as a neutral and factual way of referring to interview feedback of disapproval.

Usage: E.g. 今次interview既feedback都冇D咩negative野。(The interview feedback this time did not have anything negative.)

Synonym: 負面

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/1058101/page/1

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 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 term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to the initial notification sent by a university presenting an acceptance of an applicant for a course, often provided that the applicant fulfills a number of conditions and the payment as well.

Usage: E.g. A: 大學出左offer比你未？ B: 收到同接受左喇，但係仲未正式取錄。(A: Have you received the offer from university yet? B: I received it and accepted it, but the admission is not officially confirmed yet.)

Synonym: 取錄, 錄取通知

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2632592/page/1

Definition: (vulgar, textspeak) A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who's idiotic and stupid. It originated from the Cantonese words '憨鳩' because the '鳩' (penis) has a similar pronunciation as the number 9 in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. Why did you piss on me? Are you on9? (憨鳩) E.g. Don't be so on99 and watch where you're going! (憨鳩鳩)

Synonym: 憨鳩

Reference: https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=28512

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to being open-minded about sex, which is extremely appropriate to use to describe someone due to its hidden sexual connotations.

Usage: E.g. 外表斯文，內裡open。(He/she is gentle on the outside, open on the inside.)

Synonym: 豪放

Reference: https://www.facebook.com/100063467924977/posts/粵式市井順口溜-文-李系德以前看香港電視處境喜劇愛回家之開心速遞有一集談到不少古老當時興的粵式市井俗語因帶有壓韻也可歸類為順口溜這些隨口噏當秘笈的俏皮話雖然老土/1263445272447725/

Definition: A more sophisticated way of expressing chance (機會) in Cantonese, as the English term denotes prospect for advancement or success.

Usage: E.g. 好多謝貴公司今日比呢個opportunity我地黎做個presentation．

Synonym: 機會

Definition: Pronounced as '痾打', this is a more elegant term that refers to the Cantonese equivalent（落單）for placing orders.  Sometimes, it is used by the police when giving instructions to the subordinates.

Usage: E.g. D野仲未黎既？我落左order好耐喇喎。快D吹吓佢。E.g. 警察：This is an order! Understand?! 下屬：Yes, sir!

Synonym: 落單

Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers like to use instead of '通過'.  Sometimes, it is pronounced as 'pass-si'.

Usage: E.g. 今次考試pa唔pass呀？ E.g. 我今次pass-si呀！仲好高分添！

Synonym: 通過

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 more positive-sounding code-mixing term compared to the same item (計劃) in Cantonese.  Often pronounced as 'pan'.

Usage: E.g. 做D咩都要plan定先得架麻。 E.g. 做Ｄ咩都要計劃好先得架麻。(you may sound like a schemer in this one! XD)

Reference: https://aclanthology.org/O09-5003.pdf