Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who does not know anyone. Originated from a game similar to Rummikub where pulling cards should add up to nine, but not over. Otherwise, the player will lose the game.

Usage: E.g. I have never been to this event before! Everyone was like 'three does not know seven'!

Synonym: 三唔識七

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms

Definition: A code-mixing term used to refer to holding something physically (揸), but with the meaning of waiting for the return of something as well.

Usage: E.g. Hold住個電話先。 E.g. 個project兒家hold住左，因為要同個客傾返好先。

Synonym: 揸

Reference: https://repository.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/tc/item/cuhk-321644

Definition: A less cliche and irritating sounding code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they want to quickly test or experience something first, in order to know whether it is suitable for them in the long term.

Usage: E.g. 有新game出左？等我try吓先。 (A new game came out? Let me try first.) E.g. 買左件衫比我？等我try try先。 (Bought a shirt for me? Let me try try first.)

Synonym: 嘗試, 試

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2866301/page/17

Definition: An overused code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to sharing something.

Usage: E.g. 快D po你D相上網同大家share吓啦。 E.g. 去完旅行買左D咩好野同大家share吓啦。 E.g. 今日開會有咩想同大家share吓呢？

Synonym: 分享

Definition: An ultra convenient code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to registering your arrival at a place like a hotel or airport, as the Cantonese equivalent '辦理入住手續' sounds too long and verbose.

Usage: E.g. 快D check in左先啦，至後再慢慢搵野食。

Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201902353/201902353_1.pdf

Definition: (idiom) Known as Kongish and derived from '五時花六時變‘, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who is indecisive and prone to changing his or her plan all the time.

Usage: E.g. 你唔係話過鍾意呢件衫咩？你真係five o'clock flower six o'clock change呀。（五時花六時變）

Synonym: 五時花六時變

Reference: https://youtu.be/_3hhDIErE2g?si=SLsZUTCKhV5cfm8x

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing phrase used by local student Hong Kongers when they want to ask whether someone understands what they are talking about.

Usage: E.g. Nei g ng g ngo kong mut? (Do you know what I am saying?)

Synonym: 你知唔知我講乜?

Reference: https://www.socialcareer.org/blogs/do-you-really-know-cantonese

Definition: A more subtle way for Hong Kongers to refer to the undergarment worn by women, as the Cantonese equivalent term '胸圍' may sound too explicit and embarrassing in mentioning the female's body part.

Usage: E.g. 哎呀，我今日唔記得左載bra添。

Synonym: 胸圍

Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/201902353/201902353_1.pdf

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that overseas educated Hong Kongers use when they want to express their well-educated guess or opinion on a subject matter without sounding so formal and bookish.

Usage: E.g. 呢個program我覺得in general係幾學到野。(I think I can really learn from this program in general.)

Synonym: 一般而言

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3990504/page/1

Definition: A slightly more polite sounding code-mixing term that real ABC's in Hong Kong like to use instead the Cantonese equivalent '大佬', meaning 'big brother', even though the literal meaning is usually not taken when used, just like the word 'dude'.

Usage: E.g. Dude，你係到搞D咩呀？ E.g. Dude，你好還錢喇喎？ E.g. Dude，你以為你自己好型呀？

Synonym: 大佬