Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term created by Hong Kong KOL Matthew (matthewpwj_) and Janice (janicewanwan) to refer a typical Hong Kong mother whose teaching style towards children often includes many English words mixed into their Cantonese dialogue.

Usage: E.g. Jayden呀，如果你兒家唔食野，下次Mami就唔帶你黎呢D restaurant，去返樓下茶餐廳食算喇。(Jayden, if you don't eat, Mami will not bring you to this kind of restaurant again, we will go back to the Cha Chan Teng downstairs next time.) E.g. Elaine，你係咪講粗口呀，Mami好shocked呀。你平時唔係咁架喎，你係邊度學壞呀? (Elaine, did you swear? Mami is so shocked. You were never like this before. Where did you learn this? E.g. Esmond，陣間uncle auntie黎記住嗌人呀。大聲D呀。(Esmond, when Uncle and Auntie arrives, remember to address them. Loudly.)

Synonym: Jayden阿媽

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DWqgOP1Dyfq/ (use mobile version)

Definition: A code-mixing term used by real ABC Hong Kongers to refer to someone deciding not to do something because they are too frightened.

Usage: E.g. 我地講吓飲啤酒咋喎。你唔係咁快就chicken out嘛？

Reference: https://www.tkww.hk/epaper/view/newsDetail/1368997059457323008.html

Definition: Pronounced as 'kaahn-taah' with a long back vowel and rising intonation, this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to a cashier's counter, information desk or service counter.

Usage: E.g. 小弟係個賣game仔，話說我今日放飯果陣緊係出去食飯啦，咁個counter緊係冇人啦 (I'm a game seller, and of course I went out to have lunch during my lunch break today, so there was no one looking after the counter.)

Synonym: 收銀處; 客戶服務中心; 櫃檯

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/740067/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong actor 楊偉倫 to express loyalty to his boss in the movie of Night King that he would absolutely go all out and brave any danger and obstacles.

Usage: E.g. 「我土地，學富五car，如果他朝有一日，你真的開鴨店的話，我赴湯蹈fire，做你頭牌！」(I'm Land, learned and knowledgeable like five cars. If one day you really open a male escort club, I'll brave any danger, go all out, and be your top male escort!)

Synonym: 赴湯蹈火

Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/娛樂/夜王-黃子華-金句-1863616/3/

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers like to use instead of '辦公室'.

Usage: E.g. 聽日返office定係work from home呀？

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

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used in the workplace environment of Hong Kong to refer to a proposal document.

Usage: E.g. 老細叫你打嗰份proposal打完未呀？E.g. 今次份proposal太短喇，又唔夠detail。再打過啦。

Synonym: 計劃書

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to exploiting the use of something, even though at times it can seem more like abusing or misusing something instead.

Usage: E.g. 有D公司好take advantage D fresh grad，要你做唔哂野要OT。(Some companikes really take advantage of fresh graduates and get them to work overtime.) E.g. 有D員工好take advantage公司D病假。(Some employees really take advantage of the sick leaves offered by companies.)

Synonym: 利用, 濫用

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3588289/page/6

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by working class Hong Kongers when they want to sound less intentional about applying for leave.

Usage: E.g. 記住我聽日day off，有D咩事唔好搵我。(Remember I am taking a day off tomorrow. Please don't bother me if there is anything.)

Synonym: 請假; 放假

Reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/Cantonese/comments/1g1dmdg/請問_香港_係講_工作天_唔講工作日/

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to tell someone not to worry about something anymore, even though it may not sound polite to English speakers.

Usage: E.g. Never mind啦。我地下次再約。 E.g. Never mind啦。我自己搞得掂。

Definition: A code-mixing term used to refer to the fax machine (傳真機). Often used as 'fax機' or 'fax屎機'.

Usage: E.g. 部fax機work唔work呀？ E.g. 唔該幫我fax呢張野過去呀？ E.g. 請問收唔收到我張fax屎呀？

Reference: https://repository.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/tc/item/cuhk-321644