Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who sleeps very late and doesn't wake up early. Similar to 'night owl' in English. (夜貓/夜鬼)

Usage: E.g. Maintain good health by sleeping early! Don't be a night cat / night ghost!

Synonym: 夜貓/夜鬼

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/55996/

Definition: Became known by the TVB episode 'The Queen of News', this is a code-mixing phrase said by working class Hong Kongers to encourage people to continue doing what they have set out to do, even if it means taking risks and receiving consequences.

Usage: E.g. 冇人敢報等我嚟吖！萬一touchwood報錯咪賴落我度咯，I have nothing to lose。我宗旨好簡單，the show must go on。(If no one dares to report this, then I'll do it! If the news turn out to be wrong, then blame it on me, touchwood. I have nothing to lose. My goal is very simple, the show must go on.)

Synonym: 表演必須繼續

Reference: https://hk.ulifestyle.com.hk/topic/detail/20021530/新聞女王-高海寧重現主播喊住報死訊新聞一幕-雙眼通紅淚珠滑落與現實如出一轍/1

Definition: An idiom made popular by the toy product 'Need Son Ng Need Mum', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to the Chinese family tradition of favouring sons over daughters in carrying on a bloodline.

Usage: E.g. A: Do you think you come from a traditional family? B: Yes! Need son ng need mum!

Synonym: 要仔唔要乸, 重男輕女

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@apetoys/post/DNfCsgkP2qd/限量預訂嘩曱甴懷孕動物-要仔唔要乸-第六彈-小強系列need-son-ng-need-mum-small-strong-series全12款1隱藏款每盒都有男b

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 upper class Hong Kongers to express how serious a matter is and is no joke at all.

Usage: E.g. 鍾培生：Sign the f***ing contract. No bullsh*t let's go.

Synonym: 廢話少講, 來吧

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDK59_Yhv6Y

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to talking on the phone for hours. (煲電話粥)

Usage: E.g. Stop boiling telephone congee with your friend every day!

Synonym: 煲電話粥

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/8-colloquialisms-unique-to-cantonese

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to something that is so obvious that there is no need to ask anyone about it, especially after finding out the wrong of somebody. 'Ah Gui' is a name that originated from an infamous official (李世桂) in the Qing Dynasty.

Usage: E.g. It must be him who let out the secrets! No need to ask Ah Gui!

Synonym: 唔洗問阿貴

Reference: https://www.kamadelivery.com/blog/posts/香港10大俗語-地道文化背景大解構/

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to the type of girl persona that distances itself from traditional or mainstream femininity, which can be shaped by playing basketball.

Usage: E.g. 其實我一直覺得Mandy就係綠茶 好怕呢類型玩籃球塑造not your typical girl人設 (In fact, I always thought Mandy is the green tea b*tch. I am very afraid of this type of girl who plays basketball to shape up a 'not your typical girl' persona.)

Synonym: 唔係你一般嘅女仔

Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/BARuUezR1c

Definition: A pair of code-mixing terms that native Hong Kongers like to use to refer to the sport of gliding over snow because it is simply way too tiring having to tell the other person which one you are talking about if you just say ‘滑雪‘ in Cantonese, which has a literal meaning of 'glide snow'.

Usage: E.g. 我好鍾意滑雪。B：不過請問係skiing定係snowboarding? (A: I really like gliding snow. B: But do you mean skiing or snowboarding?)

Synonym: 滑雪

Reference: https://www.baby-kingdom.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=12744670

Definition: (vulgar, offensive) An Englishised code-mixing term that westernised Hong Kongers love to get their Asian parents to say in order to show others it is amusing. However, some Hong Kongers may not find it is that funny because the pronunciation of the Cantonese equivalent words '花橋粟米的士' only roughly resembles 'f*** you suck my d*ck', which means it is kind of a broken joke.

Usage: E.g. Mommy, point to the camera and say 'flower bridge corn taxi'!

Synonym: 花橋粟米的士

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DQ214-EgFps/ (use mobile version)