Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe a situation where there is a scene or fight going on between people, and you are just excited to watch what will happen as a bystander. '食住花生等睇戲' can be shortened to '食花生' sometimes.

Usage: E.g. I have never seen people argue like this over Whatsapp! Let's eat peanuts while waiting to watch a film!

Synonym: 食住花生等睇戲

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe any unfortunate event such as an accident.

Usage: E.g. If I have any winter melon tofu, I will sue your company!!!

Synonym: 冬瓜豆腐

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/39119/

Definition: Often pronounced as ‘cummun’, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to express how common something is without making it sound unpopular or nothing special.

Usage: E.g. 做呢個行業好common架咋。(This occupation is so common!)

Synonym: 普遍, 普通

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/C04Br91vuJT/ (use mobile version)

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong students use to refer to '功課'.

Usage: E.g. 喂，聽日交assignment呀，仲係到做咩呀？！ E.g. 呢份assignment可以借黎參考嗎？

Synonym: 功課

Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to making the remark "looks good to me" after doing a code review for a programmer, which means the work has been done properly.

Usage: E.g. Review完喇，ＬＧＴＭ！ϵ( 'Θ' )϶

Synonym: 睇落唔錯

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3878537/page/24

Definition: A code-mixing term that Fake ABC's in Hong Kong use to refer to the 'chemistry' between two people, which is the attraction between them.

Usage: E.g. 我覺得佢地都幾有chemical reaction。

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uik5GWvXiLA&t=210s

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a telephone number.

Usage: E.g. 香港人：可唔可以交換number呀？內地人：咩number呀？香港人：緊係電話number啦。

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uik5GWvXiLA&t=210s

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term used to describe how poor (慘) someone is.

Usage: E.g. I cried coz I am very chaam. E.g. 今次考試肥左真係好chaam。 E.g. 做到扒左喺到咁真係ｃｈａａｍｃｈａａｍ豬。

Synonym: 慘

Reference: https://topick.hket.com/article/3056055/【港式英文】嫌米綫店「updup」及食客「wuddud」%20%20%20%20港女IG發文形容好「Chaam」

Definition: Often associated with negative connotations, this is a code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to show their ability to form valuable opinions after thorough thought, like a lawyer in a court case.

Usage: E.g. 第一次認識人唔好咁快pass judgment啦！(Don't pass judgment so quickly upon knowing a person for the first time!) E.g. 我希望你會接受我既judgment。(I hope you will accept my judgment.)

Synonym: 判斷

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/1787326/page/1

Definition: Known as Kongish and derived from '大檸樂', this is a more euphemistic way of saying the vulgar expression '大撚鑊', which means a big f***ing serious trouble has occurred.

Usage: E.g. I forgot to hand in my assignment yesterday. Big lemon coke!

Synonym: 大檸樂