Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Derived from 'add oil' in Cantonese, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that local Hong Kongers use to express encouragement and support for another person.

Usage: Ga yau! You can win this game!

Synonym: 加油

Definition: Often used as '搞爛gag', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a lame joke or broken joke.

Usage: E.g. 你唔好成日喺到搞爛gag啦！一Ｄ都唔好笑！

Reference: https://zh-yue.wikipedia.org/wiki/爛Gag

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers as a less explicit way of referring to the period of time a person has not worked especially to employers because it tends to sound small and tiny like a door gap.

Usage: E.g. 如果兩個都差唔多，先揀冇gap個個，因為有gap個個驚佢太自由奔放走左去 (If both candidates are almost the same, I'll choose the one without a gap first, because I'm afraid the one with a gap will leave the company quickly like he has too much freedom.)

Synonym: 間隔；空窗期

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@cyanxxlhtc/post/Da7JddCiceG?xmt=AQG0pf5Hjp1xNodTdIwPcyj9CcvjTMv8N8ttW-V49aFNFN6yNnqItPIk82SCv611OJ_rOpqS&slof=1

Definition: Often used as '嘥gas', this is a code-mixing term that is used by native Hong Kongers to refer to wasting one's efforts.

Usage: E.g. 你唔洗嘥gas，佢唔會聽你講。

Synonym: 嘥gas，白費功夫

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW0x5-SyI4o

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer people coming together. Even though the term can be used both formally and informally in English, it can actually be more personal and intimate than '聚會' in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 女友稱約朋友去酒店Gathering 男友事後問起她卻支吾以對 (Girlfriend said she was going to a hotel with friends for a gathering, but when her boyfriend asked her about it later, she gave evasive answers.)

Synonym: 聚會

Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/網絡熱話/女友稱約朋友去酒店gathering疑似出軌-637892/

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe having done a task, which is similar to 'All done!'. Sometimes, '搞掂食碗麵' can be shortened to '搞掂'.

Usage: E.g. I have finally done this task! Gau dim eat bowl noodle!

Synonym: 搞掂食碗麵

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=This%20phrase%20means%20%E2%80%9CAll%20done,can%20announce%20%E2%80%9CGau%20dim!%E2%80%9D

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that local Hong Kongers use to refer to someone who is off-topic or providing irrelevant answers.

Usage: E.g. Lei dou gau m daap baat! Can you answer my question?!

Synonym: 九唔搭八

Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/tag/kongish/

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who has an interest in the same gender without making it sound so clear and explicit in case someone is eavesdropping. At other times, it can be used to describe something as awkward such as a plot in a story or film.

Usage: E.g. A: 我想問你一個問題：你係咪gay架? B: 唔好喇掛，我唔想搞gay。 (A: I want to ask you a question: Are you gay? B: No thanks, I don't want to be gay.) E.g. A: 今次套電影好睇嗎？B: 我覺得啲劇情好gay囉。(A: Do you like the movie this time? B: I think the story is really gay.)

Synonym: 同性戀, 搞gay

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/1088/

Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to ask a shopkeeper how much something costs, which is extremely effective when bargaining for a lower price at wet markets. It can also be shortened to 'gay cheen' (幾錢).

Usage: E.g. Gay dor cheen? (幾多錢?) E.g. Gay cheen? (幾錢?)

Synonym: 幾多錢?

Reference: https://homekong.com.hk/blogs/read/helpful-cantonese-phrases-to-know

Definition: Derived from 'good game' in English, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a bad situation, such as not completing work before a deadline. (完蛋了)

Usage: E.g. 今晚做唔哂Ｄ野真係ｇｇ喇。點算呀？(完蛋了)

Reference: https://www.csb.gov.hk/hkgcsb/eon/190/190/190_3.html