Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to someone who disappeared for a long time and no one knows where they are.

Usage: E.g. A: Where did your classmate go? B: I think he dived under water.

Synonym: 潛水

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/cantonese-slang-of-the-week-diving-under-water

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to express how serious a matter is and is no joke at all.

Usage: E.g. 鍾培生：Sign the f***ing contract. No bullsh*t let's go.

Synonym: 廢話少講, 來吧

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDK59_Yhv6Y

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong restaurants love to use especially during public holiday to refer to the additional fee added to a bill because it sounds more classy than '服務費' and less explicit than '加一' or '加二' in Cantonese, which mean +10% and +20% respectively.

Usage: E.g. A: 吓？食個下午茶都要加二？ B: 今日係新年假期，所以有service charge。(A: What? There's +20% service charge even for an afternoon tea? B: Today is Chinese New Year holiday so there is service charge.) E.g. 到底邊個發明加一服務費？(Who on earth invented +10% service charge?)

Synonym: 加一, 加二, 服務費

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2268003/page/4

Definition: Derived from the Chinese internet slang '躺平', this is an Englishised code-mixing term used to describe a lifestyle of doing as little as possible, due to knowing that there is a 'rat race' going on where everyone is competing for jobs such that it is almost impossible to keep up with the societal pressure.

Usage: E.g. This exam is so difficult! I am lying flat! E.g. I am not lying flat! I must continue to find a better job!

Synonym: 躺平

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-internet-and-texting-slang-to-use-right-now

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish codemixing term that refers to a person who has never been in a relationship before. I.e. Available = 0.

Usage: E.g. Nei dou year 4 lah, ng hai lum ju a0 grad har wah. （你都Year 4啦，唔係諗住A0 grad吓話。）

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/article/283411?utm_source=01appshare&utm_medium=referral

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use when talking about work, as the Cantonese equivalent terms may denote a higher responsibility.

Usage: E.g. 呢件事你handle可以嗎？（處理） E.g. 咁多功課hand唔handle到呀？（應付） E.g. 公司既財政邊個handle架？（負責）

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 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: 1. (adj) This is a code-mixing word that refers to being outdated. 2. (verb) To instruct someone to be eliminated or get out of the room.

Usage: E.g. 你兒家先聽呢首歌？你真係好out呀。(adj) E.g. 你同我out！(verb)

Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk

Definition: A code-mixing term that Gen Z native Hong Kongers use to describe a romantic relationship where there are low levels of commitment except for sexual behaviour.

Usage: E.g. A: 你同佢發展成點呀？ B: 冇呀，只係situationship。(A: How is your relationship going? B: No, we are just a situationship.)

Synonym: 狀態戀情

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/談情說性/377560/約會新詞-situationship-已經-沉船-但不能隨便跳船