Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Pronounced with a rising tone on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that refers to 'calculator'.  Also used as 'cal機' sometimes.

Usage: E.g. 唔該借個cal機比我呀？ E.g. 試下用caltor check吓個answer。

Synonym: 計數機

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

Definition: Originated from ‘sayonara’, this is a code-mixing term used by grassroots Hong Kongers who like to show off their limited Japanese language knowledge when they play with kids who are into Japanese anime.

Usage: E.g. 下次再同你玩過。Sayunana!

Synonym: sayonara, 拜拜

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3743607/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to demand immediate attention towards a matter without sounding like they are in such a hurry or wanting the other person to hurry the f*** up.

Usage: E.g. 呢個係一個urgent既task。B: 明白 (Understood) E.g. 呢個係一個緊急既任務。B: 洗唔洗咁急呀？(Why is there such a hurry?)

Synonym: 緊急

Reference: https://ezone.hk/article/20052634/香港職場中英夾雜用語-內地網民舉30個例子-表示識粵語都無法理解

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers which is a more generic and less vivid way of calling someone who is too preoccupied with talking about other people’s lives.

Usage: E.g. 唔好成日掛住gossip，專注啲做野啦！(Stop gossipping all the time and focus on your work!)

Synonym: 諸事八卦, 閒言閒語, 講是非

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2683169/page/1

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that local Hong Kong students use to ask what the heck someone is talking about. Even though it looks like a westernised expression, spring actually refers to testicles and is quite rude when used as an expression.

Usage: E.g. Ho lun dor jargon ar. Up mud spring ar? (So many f***ing jargon. What the testicles are you saying?)

Synonym: 噏乜春

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/熱爆話題/364993/konglish瘋狂洗版-ga-yau係點解-即睇港式英語大測試

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use as a broader term to refer to a whole load of stuff related to managing money, assets, investments, borrowing and more. Sometimes, it is also used as another term for money, especially when the word money just sounds sensitive to a person.

Usage: E.g. A: 你做咩行業? B: Finance. A: 咁係做銀行, 財務管理, 投資定係咩? (A: What industry do you work in? B: Finance. A: So do you work in bank, asset management, investment or what? E.g. 今餐有D貴。你有冇finance? (This meal is quite expensive. Do you have finance?)

Synonym: 金融，財務，財政，資金

Reference: https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/金融学

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe a situation where they are in some serious trouble. Sometimes, '大鑊' can be emphasized to a vulgar expression '大撚鑊', which literally translates to 'big penis wok' and means the person is in rather deep sh*t.

Usage: E.g. I forgot to bring my wallet! Big wok! (大鑊) E.g. Omg I lost all my money! This time is really big penis wok! (今次真係大撚鑊)

Synonym: 大鑊

Reference: http://paper.wenweipo.com/2011/03/30/ED1103300032.htm

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Miss Hong Kong girls when they genuinely find something as acceptable or satisfactory, such as marrying a guy who is not rich.

Usage: E.g. 莊子璇：一定要同富豪，同有錢人一齊，我覺得又唔一定，都係一個刻板印象嚟，我都可以同一個好愛嘅人或者佢冇乜錢我都Ok。(Hilary Chong: Being with a tycoon or a rich guy, I don't think it is necessary. This is only a stereotype. I can also be with a person I love or if he doesn't have much money I'm also OK.)

Synonym: 可以(接受)

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60346013/莊子璇被封-富豪殺手-反擊網民對港姐有偏見-佢冇乜錢我都ok?itm_source=universal_search&itm_campaign=hk01&itm_content=all&itm_medium=web

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Konger girls to refer to having the strength or resilience to handle something emotionally, as in "I can take it", which they can sometimes do to a certain extent.

Usage: E.g. 出到嚟網上有咁多言論一路話我，我就覺得算啦，我係做呢行，我take(接受)咗佢啦，唔緊要啦。但take下take下，都take咗年幾兩年 (When I started working in this industry, there were so many discussions on the Internet talking about me, I thought it was okay because I knew I was in this industry, so I took it, it doesn't matter. But as I kept taking this and taking that, I realised that I had already been taking things in for a few years)

Synonym: 承受; 承受壓力

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/60359289/jw王灝兒分手後啞忍兩年-眼濕濕平反拜金論-我仲使乜入tvb拍劇?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01appshare

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to express frustration or distress when one encounters a problem.

Usage: E.g. Ding! I missed the bus! (頂) E.g. Ding your lungs! How dare you talk to me like this? (頂你個肺)

Reference: https://ovolohotels.com/ovolo/blog/7-cantonese-slangs-guaranteed-to-impress-a-local/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CDing!&text=Definition%3A%20It's%20simply%20another%20way,and%20shout%2C%20%E2%80%9CDING!%E2%80%9D