Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: (verb) A more suitable term for the Cantonese equivalent word '檢查', which sounds too formal and serious, like doing a body check.

Usage: E.g. 同我check吓份文件好嗎？

Synonym: 檢查

Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

Definition: (adj.) A euphemistic way of saying 'cheap' in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 喂，你唔洗咁cheap嘛？ E.g. 你正cheap精黎架！ E.g. Cheap到咁樣，我真係第一次見。

Synonym: 低俗

Definition: A noun-turned-adjective code-mixing term used to describe how charming or attractive a person is.

Usage: E.g. 喂，你覺得佢好ｃｈａｒｍ嗎？ E.g. 你今日著得好cｈａｒｍ喎。

Synonym: 有魅力

Definition: An alternative way of referring to someone who's getting on your nerves, as the equivalent term '挑戰' in Cantonese sounds too much like a real duel or battle and hence too provocative to use.

Usage: E.g. 老闆：夠喇。你唔好係到挑戰我。你:我幾時有挑戰過你呀？！ E.g. 老闆：夠喇。你唔好係到challenge我。你:*silence*

Synonym: 挑戰

Definition: A generic code-mixing term used for a number of Chinese words meaning 'case', in order to maximise communicative efficiency.

Usage: E.g. 喂，阿John。同我follow下個case得嗎?（個案） E.g. 今次呢單case好似唔簡單。（案件） E.g.　呢個病人個case睇嚴重D喎。（病情） E.g.　我明白你個case。（情況）

Synonym: 個案; 案件

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kong businessmen to refer to something that they give a damn about, as the equivalent terms '理', '在乎' or '關心' in Cantonese sound too romantic or loving in a professional setting.

Usage: E.g. 我唔care你要OT到幾多點，總之要幫我搞掂。 E.g. 其實我都好care我既員工既福利。 E.g. 艾東care! (I don't care!)

Synonym: 理; 在乎; 關心

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to avoid seeming as if you have almost forgotten to mention something.

Usage: E.g. By the way, 你可唔可以幫我搞掂埋呢份proposal? E.g. By the way, 你今晚幾時得閒呀?

Synonym: 順便講

Definition: To reserve something, such as an appointment or place, without sounding like it's a date.

Usage: E.g. 請問你幫我book左個appointment未? E.g. 聽日book左枱未呀？（訂枱）

Synonym: 訂; 約

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

Definition: A posh way of saying that you admire someone's work or effort, in order to show your high social status or higher education background.

Usage: E.g. 我好appreciate你個idea. Well done. E.g. 我好appreciate你做既野。不過，你都唔可以迫我accept你個apology。

Synonym: 欣賞

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who have more than a regular habit of drinking champagnes.

Usage: E.g. 今日係禮拜五晚，我地黎支ｃｈａｍｐａｇｎｅ嗱？！

Synonym: 香檳