Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

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 phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to a mutual friend or a friend in common.

Usage: E.g. 佢係我地個common friend黎架。 E.g. 我地唔係好熟，不過有好多common friend。

Synonym: 共同朋友

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP2Tu1kqrQc&t=4s

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to express worry about something.

Usage: E.g. 最近公司既野收入令到我好concern。

Reference: https://www.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/職場英語-盤點辦公室改不掉的中英夾雜-double-comfirm是錯的/1301-25515

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to something happening or behaving the same way as before over time.

Usage: E.g. 我：‘I need to stay consistent!’ 講英文人：Consistent 廣東話係乜嘢？(Me: I need to stay consistent! English speaker: What is consistent in Cantonese?)

Synonym: keep住

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@tracywongdc/post/DE-HfeUuJEx

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers like to use to refer to giving or providing something, in order to help achieve a goal.

Usage: E.g. 麻煩大家contribute一吓個discussion。

Synonym: 貢獻

Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ

Definition: A code-mixing term used to mean fashionable and attractive.  However, it can also refer to being snobby sometimes.

Usage: E.g. 哇，你載左太陽眼鏡好cool呀。 E.g. 唔好成日係到扮cool啦。你以為你自己好型咩？

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

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers like to use to refer to a duplicate of something, such as a document.

Usage: E.g. 份document整多幾份copy黎呀，唔該。

Synonym: 副本

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they ask whether one has enough money for expense rather than having sufficient money itself.

Usage: E.g. 今個月cov唔cover到租金? (Can you cover the rent this month?)

Synonym: 足夠支付

Reference: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/zht/詞典/英語-漢語-繁體/cover

Definition: Often pronounced as 'Q' or used as 'Q-tee', this is a code-mixing term that is used by Hong Kongers instead of '可愛' in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 哇，個公仔好Ｑ呀！ E.g. 港女：你睇吓我今日著得Q唔Q-tee呀？

Synonym: 可愛

Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

Definition: Originated from 'thank you' and often pronounced as '釘橋' meaning nail bridge in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to express their gratitude towards someone.

Usage: E.g. Dank you哂你幫我手呀。不如我今日請你食lunch好嗎？(Thank you for helping me out. What about I treat you lunch today?)

Synonym: thank you, 釘橋

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLR0QEuMT7j/ (use mobile version)