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Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe having a habit of joining events sometimes or occasionally without sounding they like to quit and join again all the time.
Usage: E.g. 我最近好忙呀，所以on and off咁樣join啲events囉。(I have been very busy, so I joined events on and off.)
Synonym: 斷斷續續
Reference: https://blog.english4u.net/blog2.aspx?id=1830
Definition: Derived from '一波三折', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe an unexpected event with twists and turns. Literal meaning: A wave that is split into three segments.
Usage: E.g. 呢排真係好黑仔呀。簡直係one ball seventy percent off呀。(一波三折)
Synonym: 一波三折
Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/58665/
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to express disbelief at someone in fulfilling a promise. (比個官你做)
Usage: E.g. You say you will return your money by tomorrow? I let you be the government official!
Synonym: 比個官你做
Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to more efficient and sometimes less official way of making a request for a job.
Usage: E.g. Jobsdb見到好多agent公司幫公司請人，一apply班agent就打來phone call，唔理你是唔是工作時間都打來，即刻問長問短... 不如直接同公司apply. (On JobsDB, you see a lot of recruitment agencies hiring for companies; the moment you apply, the agents call you—often without caring whether it’s during office hours—and immediately they start grilling you with questions... You're better off applying directly to the company.)
Synonym: 申請
Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3975336/page/1
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: 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: A code-mixing phrase used by Hong Kong Legislative Council members to refer to a lease condition where the lot owner is required to complete the development within a specified period and obtain an Occupation Permit from the Building Authority. However, it is not to be confused with 'environmental permit'.
Usage: E.g. 劉文君發言後，林筱魯再提醒發言表達專業用語時要考慮公眾能否理解。劉文君說：「頭先官員都有用building covenant㗎！enviromental permit我唔知你哋中文叫做咩嘢。」(After Lau's speech, Lin reminded him to consider whether the public would understand such professional terminology. Lau said, "The officials used building covenant just now! I don't know what you meant by 'environmental permit' in Chinese.")
Synonym: 建築規約
Reference: https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/news/20260211/bkn-20260211164003550-0211_00822_001.html
Definition: This is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to '噱頭'.
Usage: E.g. 你有沒有留意樓下那家coffee shop最近常做promotion，我覺得滿有gimmick
Synonym: 噱頭
Reference: https://hk.news.yahoo.com/港人中英夾雜有規律-網友-太神奇-020000181.html
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing idiom used by native Hong Kongers to describe a situation where you cannot force someone into seeking help if they do not accept it.
Usage: E.g. I offered to help him with his homework but he never sent it over. Oh well... if the cow doesn't drink water, you cannot press the cow's head down.
Synonym: 牛唔飲水唔撳得牛頭低
Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms
Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to the information technology sector, which tends to be associated with the result of many wrongdoings and unfortunate happenings such as being laid off.
Usage: E.g. 上世做錯事 今世做it (My past life was filled with wrongdoings; This life got me into IT sector.) E.g. 少時讀IT,大個唔見天，裁員就你先。(If we choose to study IT when we were young, we will grow up not seeing the daylight. Company lay offs will also happen to us first.
Synonym: 資訊科技
Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/BAYf1twTSF/