Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer more specifically to the legal promises made by a company, especially in a contract or agreement.

Usage: E.g. bonus guarantee 有3個月？有d 公司好仆街係咪都話生意唔好減咁d 架wor (Is it guaranteed to have 3 months of bonus? Some companies are really an epic fail and say their business is not doing good then lower your salary.)

Synonym: 保證

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2863234/page/3

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to the part of the song that is repeated several times.

Usage: E.g. 老師：今次唱得唔錯。不過我地再黎多次個chorus呀，唔該。 E.g. 老師：我地一齊再唱多次段副歌！學生：副歌？老師，你係邊到黎架？

Synonym: 副歌

Definition: A more effortless way of apologising to someone without sounding so formal and serious. Sometimes, it is pronounced as 'sor-li'.

Usage: E.g. Sorry呀，踩親你。 E.g. Sorry呀，我遲到左。 E.g.你：對唔住！係我抵死，係我唔岩！朋友：唔洗咁隆重。你:SORRY囉。

Synonym: 對唔住

Reference: https://www.academia.edu/8666953/Common_usage_of_code-mixing_among_trilingual_Hong_Kongers

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to express worry about something.

Usage: E.g. 最近公司既野收入令到我好concern。

Reference: https://www.ctgoodjobs.hk/article/職場英語-盤點辦公室改不掉的中英夾雜-double-comfirm是錯的/1301-25515

Definition: A code-mixing term that a "Jayden Mami" likes to use to express unpleasant surprise while softening the tone in order to make sure the child isn't scared by the mother's emotional state.

Usage: E.g. Jayden, 你喺邊到學人dye埋D hair架? Mami好shocked呀。(Jayden, who did you learn dying your hair from? Mami is so shocked.)

Synonym: 驚訝; 震驚

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXBG2f3kq7D/ (use mobile version)

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 romanised code-mixing term that real ABC’s like to use to refer to toilet. (廁所）

Usage: E.g. Excuse me? Where is the chee sor?

Synonym: 廁所

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%2520alternative%2520to%2520“hou%2520ging,jeng”%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.

Definition: An ultra efficient code-mixing term used by Hong Kong local students to refer to singing contest.

Usage: E.g. CLS呢個中學生唱singcon唱到跪撚埋喺度 (So frigging crazy! This high school student sang until kneeling down in a singing contest.)

Synonym: 歌唱比賽

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3191125/page/16

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing phrase that refers to someone who disappeared for a long time and no one knows where they went.

Usage: E.g. I will be blacklisting this guy who promised to attend the conference but went scuba diving!

Synonym: 潛水

Definition: Became known by the TVB episode 'The Queen of News', this is a code-mixing phrase said by working class Hong Kongers to encourage people to continue doing what they have set out to do, even if it means taking risks and receiving consequences.

Usage: E.g. 冇人敢報等我嚟吖！萬一touchwood報錯咪賴落我度咯，I have nothing to lose。我宗旨好簡單，the show must go on。(If no one dares to report this, then I'll do it! If the news turn out to be wrong, then blame it on me, touchwood. I have nothing to lose. My goal is very simple, the show must go on.)

Synonym: 表演必須繼續

Reference: https://hk.ulifestyle.com.hk/topic/detail/20021530/新聞女王-高海寧重現主播喊住報死訊新聞一幕-雙眼通紅淚珠滑落與現實如出一轍/1