Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Derived from the idiom '傾國傾城', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase used to describe women that are so devastatingly beautiful that they can make a country or city fall.

Usage: E.g. The girls in this club are so fall country fall city!

Synonym: 傾國傾城

Definition: Pronounced as 'fan-see' with a rising intonation on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to admirers of a person, such as a celebrity.  Sometimes, the transliteration of the word '粉絲' is used instead.

Usage: E.g. 我係你既忠心fans黎架。同我影張相好嗎？

Synonym: 粉絲

Definition: A code-mixing term used to refer to the fax machine (傳真機). Often used as 'fax機' or 'fax屎機'.

Usage: E.g. 部fax機work唔work呀？ E.g. 唔該幫我fax呢張野過去呀？ E.g. 請問收唔收到我張fax屎呀？

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

Definition: (noun) A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe an experience as pleasurable. However, it can also be used to refer to having romantic feelings towards a person.

Usage: E.g. 呢間bar好有feel。(This bar has a good vibe.) E.g. 唔好意思，我對你冇feel。(Sorry, but I don’t have any feelings for you.)

Synonym: 感覺; 氣氛; 心情

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNvk8qHZBN-/ (use mobile version)

Definition: Often pronounced as 'fi-lo' with a rising tone on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that is more generic to be used for a number of different items in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 唔該copy呢個file比我。（電腦檔案） E.g. 買多個file儲住D紀錄。（文件夾） E.g. 警察：我哋會睇返呢單case既file。（檔案）

Synonym: 文件夾; 檔案

Reference: https://aclanthology.org/O09-5003.pdf

Definition: Often added with a ‘咗’ like the ‘-ed’ form in English for past tense, this is a code-mixing term that is used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to having completed something, such as an event or project.

Usage: E.g. 你地finish咗個project未呀？ E.g. 終於finish咗個event！

Synonym: 完成

Reference: https://www.businesstimes.com.hk/articles/157451/創新科技獎學金2024-挑選25位傑出大學生-每人最高15萬港元獎學金/

Definition: Often pronounced with a long vowel 'feet', this is a code-mixing term that is more appropriate to use when describing someone in good shape.

Usage: E.g. 男仔：哇，你身材幾好喎。女仔：咸濕仔！ E.g. 男仔：哇，你身材好標準喎。女仔：死咸濕仔！ E.g. 男仔：哇，你好fit喎。女仔：多謝。

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: An abbreviated code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to following someone on social media.

Usage: E.g. 你fo左我IG未？快D fo啦!

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to a less physical directing of attention onto something. Sometimes, it may be used in order to avoid sounding like one has ADHD.

Usage: E.g. 老師，我頭先focus唔到聽書，可唔可以再講多次？(Teacher, I really can't focus on listening to your lecture. Can you repeat again?)

Synonym: 專注; 集中

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/CynQSwpSd-P/?img_index=5 (use mobile version)