Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used with “啱key”, which refers to whether you get along well with somebody. Explanation: like the key in a piece of music.

Usage: Eg. 你同你朋友啱唔啱key呀？

Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/啱key

Definition: A code-mixing term that local student Hong Kongers use to refer to 'music society'.

Usage: E.g. 唔知mu so今個sem有咩搞呢？

Synonym: 音樂學會

Definition: A romanised Cantonese phrase used by foreigners to bargain in a wet market, in order to get a bigger deal or low price. A 'la' is also usually added at the end for emphasis.

Usage: E.g. This is fifty dollars? Peng di la!

Synonym: 平D

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know

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 adjective term used by native Hong Kongers to describe something that is peculiar or unexpected, which is usually milder compared to the Cantonese equivalent word '怪' meaning strange.

Usage: E.g. 莊雅婷有點odd odd 哋的美學，和鍾培生可說是絶配，但鄉港人唔會識欣賞。 (Angel Chong is a bit of odd in aesthetics, which is a perfect match with Derek Chung, but Hong Kong people will not appreciate.)

Synonym: 怪

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@timorese2332/post/DVnTY5-jiQo?xmt=AQF0qy0bkiofGtnpzBvRV8K80eRv2Va6md233oSjBwnVGUCCMt_lLP7oN7zuNkcGOPG9nm0h&slof=1

Definition: A shortened term for 'long distance' meaning to have a long distance relationship with someone.

Usage: E.g. 我plan左去working holiday。到陣時要同男朋友long d喇。

Synonym: 遠距離戀愛; 異地戀

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uik5GWvXiLA&t=210s

Definition: A more neutral-sounding term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to '購物' or '買野', which signify the commitment to buying things.

Usage: E.g. 女朋友：我地聽日去商場啦。男朋友：吓？又買野？！女朋友：唔係呀。去shopping咋嘛。 E.g. 女朋友：我地聽日去shopping啦。男朋友：又買野？！女朋友：去window shopping咋嘛。

Reference: https://www.academia.edu/1177618/Cantonese_English_code_switching_research_in_Hong_Kong_A_survey_of_recent_research

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to reaching a consensus on matters of a situation.

Usage: E.g. 我地一齊align一下意見，再匯報比上頭知。

Synonym: 保持一致

Reference: https://www.story001.com/post-196.html

Definition: To get a refund for something due to dissatisfaction.

Usage: The service was so bad, that's why I wanted to wui shui.

Synonym: 回水

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to soften the tone when requesting for something, especially when the speaker does not want to be rejected.

Usage: E.g. 你：ｍｉｎｄ唔ｍｉｎｄ我跟返呢個客? 同事：唔ｍｉｎｄ。 （你：介唔介意我跟返呢個客? 同事：介意。） E.g. 你：ｍｉｎｄ唔ｍｉｎｄ我坐喺到? 陌生人：唔ｍｉｎｄ。（你：介唔介意我坐喺到? 陌生人：介意。） E.g. 你：ｍｉｎｄ唔ｍｉｎｄ等我一陣? 老細：唔ｍｉｎｄ。 （你：介唔介意等我一陣? 老細：介意。）