Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to exercise done in the gym. Even though it is often used as '做gym' (do gym), it is not to be confused with 'doing the gym' because the gym is actually the place where people do exercise in native English.

Usage: E.g. 想唔想一齊做gym? (Want to work out / do exercise in the gym together?)

Synonym: 健身; 健身室; 健身室運動

Reference: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/做gym

Definition: A code-mixing term that westernised Hong Kongers like to use to refer to the sport of walking long distances on mountains because they have gotten so used to it and see it as a hobby rather than something laborious like '行山', which literally translates to 'walk mountain'.

Usage: E.g. 今個weekend去唔去hiking呀? 不如今次行遠D呀? (Do you want to go hiking this weekend? What about going on a longer trail?)

Synonym: 行山

Reference: https://letsgohiking.blog/

Definition: A romanised code-mixing term used by Hong Kong expats to describe something as delicious or very yummy.

Usage: E.g. If you want to say something is delicious in Cantonese, you need to say 'ho sik'. The Jyutping for this is hou2 sik6. The 'sick' needs to be a low sixth tone.

Synonym: 好食

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wAqzV4KgPZA

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers when one feels embarassed about something stupid that he has done but still wishes to admit it honestly. While the phrase is English-sounding with Holland being a western country and Ben being an English name, it is actually homophonous with '好撚笨柒' in Cantonese, which has the literal meaning of 'very f***ing stupid penis'.

Usage: E.g. I forgot my wallet at home! I am Holland Ben 7!

Synonym: 好撚笨柒, Holland Bank Cheque

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by the K-pop singer Jackson Wang (王嘉爾) when he has nothing to say. Even though he was born in Hong Kong, it is often said that he has real American Born Chinese vibe, due to his strong knowledge of English filler terms while speaking in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 我從運動員到練習生到出道，去海外，我自己覺得我係捱到既。但係有時呢D咁既野真係hit到我，我真係...i don't know. (From being an athlete to a trainee to debut then overseas, I always thought I could endure. But when there were things that hit me sometimes, I really just... I don't know.)

Synonym: 我唔知

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7-73ZG8G2s

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase used by local Hong Kong students to refer to having no time for activities such as dinner or party, which doesn't necessarily mean they have no more time left in their lives such as due to a terminal illness.

Usage: E.g. A: Do you want to join the party tonight? B: I have no time.

Synonym: 我冇時間

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj7SHv4Jhw4

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong actress and singer JW as a less direct way to describe someone with a bad personality.

Usage: E.g. I am not saying he is a bad person, 佢都係好人嚟㗎，男人我明白會有犯呢啲錯啦，但係當我係個受害者嘅時候，我就make咗呢個decision... (I am not saying he is a bad person, he is a good person after all, I understand men make these kind of mistakes, but since I was a victim, I made this decision...)

Synonym: 我唔係想講佢係一個壞/品質差既人

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60360165/jw剖白被背叛仍硬食拜金標籤真相-痛斥網絡風氣-永遠女仔就係雞?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01appshare

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used to describe something that is very good or awesome.

Usage: E.g. The food is so jeng! (正) E.g. The movie was ho jeng ah! (好正呀)

Synonym: 正

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%20alternative%20to%20“hou%20ging,jeng”%20if%20something%20is%20awesome.

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong doctors to refer to acting professionally when dealing with the family of a child diagnosed with cancer.

Usage: E.g. 醫生：之前有一個兒童癌症個案係醫到, 但家人唔想醫, 我唔想judgemental , 但覺得可惜 (Doctor: There was a case of cancer in a child that could be treated, but the family didn't want to continue treatment. I didn't want to be judgmental, but I felt it was a pity.)

Synonym: 批判性

Reference: https://ccf.org.hk/zh-hant/services/services_faq/?id=5)的專業團隊、醫院遊戲師，會介入向家長及病童解說療程，用柔性方式減輕恐懼

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a meal set offered by a karaoke lounge bar or club.

Usage: E.g. 今日去唔去食K lunch呀？一百蚊又可以唱又食，好鬼死抵。(Do you want to have K lunch today? Can sing and eat at the price of just $100, so frigging cheap.)

Synonym: 卡啦OK午餐

Reference: https://hk.ulifestyle.com.hk/activity/detail/20009510/唱k推介2024丨全港16大卡啦ok好去處-最平-36起-日文k都有-附地址-收費詳情