Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to a person's microphone being muted while in a meeting.

Usage: E.g. 同事：喂，我聽唔到呀，你mute左呀。快D搵人叫佢unmute返啦。

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to an exchange of goods or services for money, but often with an extra service of persuading and pushing the customer to buy something they don't want to buy at all.

Usage: E.g. 個sales明明係sell野但係又講到唔係。(The salesperson was actually selling and pitching his product but he said he wasn't.)

Synonym: 賣野; 推廣

Reference: https://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=27464402

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers when they want to ask for a deeper analytical understanding of something.

Usage: E.g. 你睇完本書有咩insight? (What insights do you have after reading the book?)

Synonym: 見解; 睇法

Reference: https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/202301935/202301935_1.pdf

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

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to someone who betrays others. ie. A traitor. (二五仔)

Usage: E.g. I can't believe you are the two five boy who let out the secret!

Synonym: 二五仔

Reference: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202105/25/AP60ac0e63e4b0a46dabeb8867.html

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used by native Hong Kongers to refer to getting high or excited.

Usage: E.g. 尋晚唱K唱到好high。 E.g. 你咪成日喺到自high啦。

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 by grassroots Hong Kongers to refer to “no pay leave” or non-paid leave.

Usage: E.g. 請唔到病假咪請low pay leave囉! （no pay leave)

Synonym: 無薪假期

Definition: Originated from the name of a French food company, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a person's big buttocks or hitting someone's buttocks.

Usage: E.g. 香港顧客每次行過海港城或者各大商場分店，一見到個招牌就往往忍唔住用廣東話讀成「大籮柚」或者「打籮柚」，甚至連買雪糕同朱古力嗰陣都腦海自動洗腦 (Every time Hong Kong customers walk across a branch in Harbour City or a big shopping mall, they often can't help but pronounce the shop's sign as "big buttocks" or "hit buttocks" in Cantonese. Even when they are just buying ice-cream and chocolate, their minds are automatically brainwashed.)

Synonym: 大蘿柚; 打籮柚

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdwORP1km-F/?stkn=N2Y4ZXdtc3NrbWgx (use mobile version)

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who has an interest in the same gender without making it sound so clear and explicit in case someone is eavesdropping. At other times, it can be used to describe something as awkward such as a plot in a story or film.

Usage: E.g. A: 我想問你一個問題：你係咪gay架? B: 唔好喇掛，我唔想搞gay。 (A: I want to ask you a question: Are you gay? B: No thanks, I don't want to be gay.) E.g. A: 今次套電影好睇嗎？B: 我覺得啲劇情好gay囉。(A: Do you like the movie this time? B: I think the story is really gay.)

Synonym: 同性戀, 搞gay

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/1088/