Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a type of leave that is often taken for the sake of avoiding work.

Usage: E.g. Annual leave 意思: 我咁難得放假，希望你地唔好搵我。(The meaning of annual leave is that if I can hardly have a holiday, I hope that you will not find me.)

Synonym: 年假

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdED72bCcze/?img_index=2&stkn=MjRibnk3MnBmYjFl (use mobile version)

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to giving encouragement to someone or helping them emotionally. Sometimes, it can also extend to providing necessities for someone such as food and shelter.

Usage: E.g. 你嘅另一半比唔比到情緒support你架? (Is your spouse able to give you emotional support?) E.g. 其實父母最緊要既責任就係比到support比子女。(In fact, the most important responsibility of parents is being able to give support to children.)

Synonym: 支持; 鼓勵; 養活

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3641328/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to counting down on New Year’s Eve because they were never familiar with anything related to ‘數' since they never attended local schools that taught difficult Math in Chinese.

Usage: E.g. New Year’s Eve嗰日你會去邊到count down? (Where will you go for count down on New Year's Eve?)

Synonym: 倒數

Reference: https://www.esquirehk.com/lifestyle/east-hong-kong-sugar-anime-skyline-countdown-to-2026-party

Definition: A euphemistic way of refering to the end of something, as saying something is at a final stage is considered bad luck in Cantonese sometimes.

Usage: E.g. 唔知佢end up會做D咩呢? E.g. 上次個project end up成點呀? E.g. 佢上個暑假end up左去台灣。

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing phrase used by local student Hong Kongers when they want to ask whether someone understands what they are talking about.

Usage: E.g. Nei g ng g ngo kong mut? (Do you know what I am saying?)

Synonym: 你知唔知我講乜?

Reference: https://www.socialcareer.org/blogs/do-you-really-know-cantonese

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong students use to refer to the subject 'psychology'.

Usage: E.g. 讀psycho難唔難呀？聽講今年有好多人肥左。

Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf

Definition: Often transliterated and pronounced as the loan phrase '肥佬' meaning 'fat guy', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe getting an unsuccessful result when doing something. Sometimes, it can be shortened to '肥' (fat) as a verb.

Usage: E.g. 哎呀！今次考試肥左佬！ E.g. 唔係掛？考咁多次都肥？！

Synonym: 肥佬

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/16296/

Definition: A code-mixing term used by local and overseas educated Hong Kongers when they want to testify a person's knowledge or believe that the other person can be more eloquent in expressing their ideas.

Usage: E.g. 唔好意思。我唔明你講咩喎。你可以elaborate一吓嗎？(I’m sorry. But I don’t understand what you are talking about. Can you elaborate?)

Synonym: 詳細說明

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to the list of dishes available at a restaurant. (餐牌)

Usage: E.g. 伙記，唔該比個menu我睇呀。

Synonym: 餐牌

Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

Definition: (textspeak) Originated from the numbers 6 and 7 sounding similar to '碌柒' meaning 'a stick of dick', this is a Kongish code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to describe someone as very dumb and brainless, like a dickhead.

Usage: E.g. 唔好成個6 7咁樣企喺到啦！(Don't be like a dickhead just standing there!)

Synonym: 碌柒

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DR_ewS2k4Yy/ (use mobile version)