Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to describe people with high standards of social, moral and ethical behaviour which covers everything from the way they look, dress, and talk.

Usage: E.g. 我覺得呢個行業既人都係好proper。(I think everybody in this industry are so proper.)

Synonym: 規矩, 正當, 得體

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/4012349/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used in the workplace environment of Hong Kong to refer to a proposal document.

Usage: E.g. 老細叫你打嗰份proposal打完未呀？E.g. 今次份proposal太短喇，又唔夠detail。再打過啦。

Synonym: 計劃書

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

Definition: A code-mixing term used by a Jayden Mami to express admiration and honour towards a child without sounding too arrogant, self-important or dramatic as the Cantonese equivalent terms denote.

Usage: E.g. Jayden呀，你今次考試一百分呀？Mami好proud of你呀。(Jayden, you got 100 marks in this exam? Mami is so proud of you!)

Synonym: 驕傲；以你為榮；自豪

Reference: https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/32423/does-the-usage-of-the-word-proud-骄傲-自豪-or-而荣-in-chinese-differ-from-that-i

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers when they want to show how pleased they are towards someone’s achievements, but want to sound less show-off or exaggerated about their feeling.

Usage: E.g. 你考試咁高分，我好proud of你呀。(You scored so high in the exam. I am so proud of you.)

Synonym: 驕傲，自豪

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@grace_interest_english/post/DDthgzMyHsU

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong court judges to refer to demonstrating and establishing the truth or validity of something by providing evidence and argument, which is especially strong to use in a court of law.

Usage: E.g. 官：呢個，如果因為part of the prosecution case 嘅話，你一定要prove 嘅。(Judge: If this is part of the prosecution case, you must prove it.)

Synonym: 證明

Reference: https://hkupress.hku.hk/image/catalog/pdf-preview/9789888528202.pdf

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong students use to refer to the subject 'psychology'.

Usage: E.g. 讀psycho難唔難呀？聽講今年有好多人肥左。

Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe strenuous tasks that are almost impossible to complete.

Usage: E.g. Getting my son to do homework is like pulling a cow up the tree!

Synonym: 拉牛上樹

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

Definition: An irreplaceable code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the kind of love relationship that one can get while being a teenager or kid.

Usage: E.g. 咁細個就談戀愛？Puppy love呀？ E.g. 唔好成日掛住puppy love啦。讀好D書先啦。

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

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to persuading someone forcefully to do or achieve something.

Usage: E.g. 資優學生唔需要push佢地做，係咁依點下就ok。(There is no need to push talented students, as you just need to guide them casually.)

Synonym: 逼迫;催逼

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/337010/page/1