Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers when they celebrate an occasion with a drink, such as beer, wine or soft drinks.

Usage: E.g. 大家一齊飲杯啦！Cheers! (Let's make a toast. Cheers!)

Synonym: 乾杯, 飲杯, 飲勝

Reference: https://jyutdictionary.com/dictionary/entry/飲杯

Definition: Known as Kongish and a much stronger version of 'chi sin' (痴線), this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers describe someone who is crazy, or a situation that is outrageous or unbelievable. (黐孖筋 - ci1 maa1 gan1) Literal meaning: To have your twin wires sticking together, causing short circuit in the brain.

Usage: E.g. Why did you scold me?! Are you chi ma gun??!! E.g. Chi ma gun! Don't dare to drive after drinking alchohol again!!

Synonym: 黐孖筋

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who is crazy, or a situation that is outrageous or unbelievable. (痴線 - ci1 sin3) Literal meaning: To have your electrical wires touching. Ie. Short circuit in the brain.

Usage: E.g. Chi sin! You used all your money to gamble?! E.g. Chi sin! The restaurant gave me the wrong bill! E.g. Chi sin! You won the lottery?!!

Synonym: 痴線

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

Definition: (idiom) Derived from '雞同鴨講', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe two people who are unable to understand each other due to a difference of language or values. In other words, the conversation just seems to go round and round with each person talking over each other.

Usage: E.g. I think we will never understand each other because we work in different departments. What a chicken and duck talk!

Synonym: 雞同鴨講

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-word-of-the-month-雞同鴨講-chicken-duck-talk/

Definition: A code-mixing term used by real ABC Hong Kongers to refer to someone deciding not to do something because they are too frightened.

Usage: E.g. 我地講吓飲啤酒咋喎。你唔係咁快就chicken out嘛？

Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1368997059457323008.html

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to the part of the song that is repeated several times.

Usage: E.g. 老師：今次唱得唔錯。不過我地再黎多次個chorus呀，唔該。 E.g. 老師：我地一齊再唱多次段副歌！學生：副歌？老師，你係邊到黎架？

Synonym: 副歌

Definition: 1. (adj). To describe a hectic state where you are so busy that you feel like you cannot breathe. 2. (verb). An Englishised code-mixing term that refers to exhausting oneself in order to get work done in a short period of time, which is usually brought on by demanding customers or people of high authority.

Usage: E.g. 今日返工真係好chur呀。(adj) E.g. 哇，呢個客洗唔洗chur到咁盡呀？比條生路人地行吓好嗎？(verb)

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-hea-chok-chur/

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers when they want to make something clear or to seek clarification from another person.

Usage: E.g. 我想clarify一吓呢個task係做咩。(I want to clarify what is to be done in this task.) E.g. 我想clarify一吓，係唔係九點開會？(Just to clarify, are we having a meeting at 9 o'clock?)

Synonym: 澄清; 釐清; 講清楚; 問清楚

Reference: https://hk.amazingtalker.com/questions/7500

Definition: This is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to social class.  However, it is often pronounced as 'car' or 'car屎' by grassroot class Hong Kongers.

Usage: E.g. 喂呢間餐廳好high car屎喎。 E.g. 今日洗唔洗著到咁high car屎呀? E.g. 唔好成日扮到咁high car啦。中左六合彩咩？

Synonym: 階層

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to being able to like and understand someone.

Usage: E.g. 我覺得我同你click唔到。

Synonym: 相處融洽

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2736661/page/3