Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a person who is easily deceived or fooled.

Usage: E.g. Some people say Hong Kong is an international water fish city! (國際水魚都市)

Synonym: 水魚

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to a person who does not do any work in a group project but gets credit for it.

Usage: E.g. Q: 大家見過最癲freerider係點？ A: 試過group project分工之後 個freerider唔見左人 唔聽電話 唔睇 group message 直到present完之後先出現 (Q: Has anyone seen what the craziest freerider is like? A: I used to work in a group project where the freerider disappeared and we could not reach him by phone or group message. Then the freerider appeared after the presentation finished.)

Synonym: 自由騎士

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2241139/page/7

Definition: Translated from ‘要咩有咩’ with ‘咩’ (what) having a similar sound utterance of a sheep, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that is said during Chinese New Year to wish someone they can get whatever they need.

Usage: E.g. Gong Hei fat choi! I wish you need sheep have sheep this year!

Synonym: 要咩有咩

Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/2019/11/12/kongish-a-new-language-of-hong-kongers/

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers when they show acceptance towards something or someone. Even though it is often used in informal situations and not written down, it can sometimes be official enough like when a girl accepts a guy during a marriage proposal.

Usage: E.g. 個女人未say yes直接搶佢隻手戴戒指。(The girl didn't even say yes and he grabbed her hand to put on the ring.)

Synonym: 答應

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

Definition: An Englishised code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to a person who likes to say nice things to flatter someone, especially for the sake of promotion in a workplace. Also known as kissing someone's arse.

Usage: E.g. You're such a shoe polisher!

Synonym: 擦鞋仔

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcsWOeRgxlW/?igsi=MzhpcGs0NzZ2b3h0 (use mobile version)

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: Derived from 'good game' in English, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a bad situation, such as not completing work before a deadline. (完蛋了)

Usage: E.g. 今晚做唔哂Ｄ野真係ｇｇ喇。點算呀？(完蛋了)

Reference: https://www.csb.gov.hk/hkgcsb/eon/190/190/190_3.html

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often misused by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong to mean 'outfit'.

Usage: E.g. BB豬，我今日個ｏｕｔｌｏｏｋ係咪好靚呀？

Synonym: 外表

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/128449/你是否-偽abc-chill-中文意思係咩-10個港人常用錯英文字

Definition: Often added with a 屎 (faeces), this is a code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers use to refer to short pieces of information written down on paper.

Usage: E.g. 阿仔，上堂記住drop低D note屎呀！

Synonym: 筆記

Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to get someone to hurry up, which is similar to the phrase 'chop chop' in English. (Also see 'ja ja lum'.)

Usage: E.g. La la lum get your homework done! E.g. Leave now or you'll miss the train! La la lum la!

Synonym: 嗱嗱臨