Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term used by grassroots Hong Kongers who prefer a QR code rather than a physical a food menu when they eat at a high class restaurant.

Usage: E.g. 入到居酒屋見到張menu唔識叫。(On entering the Izakaya restaurant, I saw the menu but didn't know how to order.)

Synonym: 餐牌

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3970505/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to the list of dishes available at a restaurant. (餐牌)

Usage: E.g. 伙記，唔該比個menu我睇呀。

Synonym: 餐牌

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

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers prefer to use to accompany Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus because they can experience the happiness first with ‘merry’ compared to the Cantonese equivalent ’聖誕節快樂‘ where the happiness '快樂‘ is placed after Christmas.

Usage: E.g. 聖誕節又黎喇！Merry Christmas! (Christmas is coming! Merry Christmas!)

Synonym: 聖誕節快樂, 聖誕快樂

Reference: https://www.weekendhk.com/香港好去處/聖誕好去處-商場-打卡-飄雪-3275849/

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to an important stage or event in the development of something. (里程碑)

Usage: E.g. 我地公司今年reach到個milestone！Let\'s celebrate!

Synonym: 里程碑

Reference: https://www.story001.com/post-196.html

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to soften the tone when requesting for something, especially when the speaker does not want to be rejected.

Usage: E.g. 你：ｍｉｎｄ唔ｍｉｎｄ我跟返呢個客? 同事：唔ｍｉｎｄ。 （你：介唔介意我跟返呢個客? 同事：介意。） E.g. 你：ｍｉｎｄ唔ｍｉｎｄ我坐喺到? 陌生人：唔ｍｉｎｄ。（你：介唔介意我坐喺到? 陌生人：介意。） E.g. 你：ｍｉｎｄ唔ｍｉｎｄ等我一陣? 老細：唔ｍｉｎｄ。 （你：介唔介意等我一陣? 老細：介意。）

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers often use to refer to having missed something, such as a bus or a deadline.

Usage: E.g. 哎呀，我miss左最後班車喇！\nE.g. 唔知miss左deadline會點呢？

Synonym: 錯過左

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that local student Hong Kongers use to address a female teacher. Sometimes, it is pronounced as 'missy'.

Usage: E.g. Miss，請問呢條問題點答？

Synonym: 先生

Definition: Short for the place name 'Mong Kok', this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who blindly follows latest fashion trends and is somewhat like a street punk with their hair dyed.

Usage: E.g. 你今日個造型好MK喎。(Your look is very Mong Kok style today.)

Synonym: 旺角; Mong Kok

Reference: https://cantowords.com/dictionary/MK

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by real ABC Hong Kongers to say 'please', 'excuse me' or 'thank you', depending on the situation. (唔該)

Usage: E.g. Mm goi. (To call the waiter at a restaurant) E.g. Mm goi jeh jeh (Excuse me, please let me through) E.g. Mm goi sai! (Thank you very much!) E.g. Set A lunch, mm goi. (Set A lunch, please) E.g. Mm goi, where is the MTR? (May I ask where is the MTR?)

Synonym: 唔該

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%2520alternative%2520to%2520%E2%80%9Chou%2520ging,jeng%E2%80%9D%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers when they cannot get the f**k out the train on the MTR. Literal meaning: Please move aside.

Usage: E.g. Mm goi. (唔該) *nobody moves* Mm ho yi si. (唔好意思) *nobody moves* Mm goi jeh jeh! (唔該借借) *people move out of the way*

Synonym: 唔該借借