Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who sleeps very late and doesn't wake up early. Similar to 'night owl' in English. (夜貓/夜鬼)

Usage: E.g. Maintain good health by sleeping early! Don't be a night cat / night ghost!

Synonym: 夜貓/夜鬼

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/55996/

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Miss Hong Kong girls when they genuinely find something as acceptable or satisfactory, such as marrying a guy who is not rich.

Usage: E.g. 莊子璇：一定要同富豪，同有錢人一齊，我覺得又唔一定，都係一個刻板印象嚟，我都可以同一個好愛嘅人或者佢冇乜錢我都Ok。(Hilary Chong: Being with a tycoon or a rich guy, I don't think it is necessary. This is only a stereotype. I can also be with a person I love or if he doesn't have much money I'm also OK.)

Synonym: 可以(接受)

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60346013/莊子璇被封-富豪殺手-反擊網民對港姐有偏見-佢冇乜錢我都ok?itm_source=universal_search&itm_campaign=hk01&itm_content=all&itm_medium=web

Definition: (vulgar, textspeak) A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to describe someone who's idiotic and stupid. It originated from the Cantonese words '憨鳩' because the '鳩' (penis) has a similar pronunciation as the number 9 in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. Why did you piss on me? Are you on9? (憨鳩) E.g. Don't be so on99 and watch where you're going! (憨鳩鳩)

Synonym: 憨鳩

Reference: https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=28512

Definition: Said to have originated from 'copycat' in English, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to someone who cheats or copies other people's answers in an exam. (出貓)

Usage: E.g. Don't dare to bring out the cat in an exam! (唔好咁大擔考試出貓！)

Synonym: 出貓

Reference: https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/lifestyle/article/3181508/cat-got-your-tongue-feline-inspired-cantonese-slang-all-kinds

Definition: Purportedly to have originated from the name of a disposable diaper, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Konger use as a euphemistic way to refer to a person's buttocks, which is very appropriate to say when talking to toddlers.

Usage: E.g. 唔好曳啊，曳就打PAT-PAT (Don't be naughty, or else I will hit your buttocks)

Synonym: 屁股

Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/PAT-PAT

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that a Jayden Mami loves to use to refer to a more casual way of learning something rather than the formal way of acquiring skills and information.

Usage: E.g. Jayden呀，有時間就去pick up English啦。你唔用既話會好快forget架。(Jayden, go and pick up English when you have time. If you don't use it, you will forget it.)

Synonym: 學識; 練習

Reference: https://hk.amazingtalker.com/questions/8407

Definition: Often shortened to 'pkm' in textspeak, this is a code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers to refer to Pokemon. However, it is not to be confused with 'PK' in Cantonese, which is a vulgar expression meaning to tell someone to go to h*ll.

Usage: E.g 你本身唔中意pkm點爆都唔會開心 (If you don't like Pokemon, you will never be happy ripping open card boosters.)

Synonym: Pokemon

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@plee_0107/post/DakcU7DEg0D/

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to making someone happy, satisfied and giving them pleasure, which is really not an easy task for anyone to do, but at least it doesn't always mean to win someone's favour by flattery like '取悦' in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 宣萱自揭離開無綫原因：原來可能要刷鞋，要please一啲你唔想please嘅人，咁我問自己得唔得？唔得。(Jessica Hester Hsuan reveals the reason for leaving TVB: It turns out that you may have to make up to people, to please those who you don't want to please, so I ask myself can I? No.)

Synonym: 使滿意, 開心; 取悦

Reference: https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20260202/bkn-20260202190138911-0202_00862_001.html

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong salesman love to use as a strategy to advertise their products without sounding like they're doing it for the sake of spreading the word or selling their product.

Usage: E.g. 我地公司兒家做緊promotion。你唔買就走寶喇喂。(Our company is now doing promotion. If you don't buy, you'll miss out.)

Synonym: 宣傳，推廣

Reference: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340689372_Code-Mixing_as_a_Promotion_Strategy_in_Shopping_Centres

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kong girls to refer to proactively keeping someone safe from damage or injury, which is usually something that they expect from a boyfriend.

Usage: E.g. 如果連我自己都唔為自己去解釋一下，咁邊個去protect我？邊個幫我解釋？冇。(If even I myself don't stand up for myself, who is going to protect me? Who will help me explain to others? No one.)

Synonym: 保護

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60359628/jw王灝兒揭與破產前度葉韋彤分手真相-直言-佢做咗對唔住我嘅事?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01appshare