Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe that something must be done no matter how worse the situation is.

Usage: E.g. I don't care three seven twenty one. This project must proceed!

Synonym: 唔理三七廿一

Reference: https://www.ourchinastory.com/zh/5530/何謂「唔理三七廿一」？%C2%A0

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by the K-pop singer Jackson Wang (王嘉爾) when he has nothing to say. Even though he was born in Hong Kong, it is often said that he has real American Born Chinese vibe, due to his strong knowledge of English filler terms while speaking in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 我從運動員到練習生到出道，去海外，我自己覺得我係捱到既。但係有時呢D咁既野真係hit到我，我真係...i don't know. (From being an athlete to a trainee to debut then overseas, I always thought I could endure. But when there were things that hit me sometimes, I really just... I don't know.)

Synonym: 我唔知

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7-73ZG8G2s

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers in the 1990's in a schoolyard joke rhyme with absurd religious crossover.

Usage: E.g. I don't know，食鬆糕，食完鬆糕變耶穌，耶穌教我念聖經，我教耶穌念佛經，耶穌話我唔正經，我話耶穌發神經。(I don't know, I'll eat sponge cake; after eating it, I'll turn into Jesus. Jesus teaches me to recite the Bible, and I teach Jesus to recite Buddhist sutras. Jesus says I'm not being serious, and I tell Jesus he's gone mad.)

Synonym: 我唔知

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/article/830396?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=01appshare

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by upper class Hong Kong girls who are really honest about how much money they spend.

Usage: E.g. 我需要啲咩啫，嚟嚟去去我咪又係食叉燒飯、意粉，I don't really spend money.（我根本唔花錢）對我嚟講無關係，我真係無嘢。(E.g. What do I really need? Wherever I go I just eat barbeque pork rice, pasta, I don't really spend money.(I don't spend money at all) Money doesn't matter to me, I really don't care.)

Synonym: 我根本唔花錢

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: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by foreigners when they come across a local Hong Konger who thinks they know how to speak Cantonese. Literal meaning: I don't know how to speak Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. Foreigner: Mm goi sai! Dor jeh! Hong Konger: Wow, your Cantonese is so good! Foreigner: Ngo mm sik gong gwong dong wa.

Synonym: 我唔識講廣東話

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/travel/basic-cantonese-phrases-every-traveller-to-hong-kong-needs-to-know

Definition: A Kongish expression used to describe someone who is so reckless that he or she is almost getting himself killed or into a big trouble.

Usage: You spent all your money on gambling? Do you know how to write the die character?!

Synonym: 你唔知個死字點寫

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)

Definition: Originated from French, this is a code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to ordering single dishes individually.

Usage: E.g. 如果你唔鍾意叫set dinner，你可以叫 à la carte。(If you don't like to order the set dinner, you can order single dishes.)

Synonym: 單點; 散嗌; 散叫

Reference: http://paper.wenweipo.com/2011/12/21/ED1112210026.htm

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that upper class Hong Kongers use to refer to the breakfast set that is served all day long, but don't actually eat that often except during breakfast hours.

Usage: E.g. 食all day breakfast? 唔好喇掛，就黎六點，食返晚餐好過啦。(Eat all day breakfast? I don't think so since it's about 6 o'clock. I think it's better to eat dinner.)

Synonym: 全日早餐

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/教煮/93368/all-day-breakfast-麵包雞蛋炸薯花款多-一張圖鑒辨清楚

Definition: A code-mixing term used by a "Jayden Mami" to describe a state of emotional stress due to a child misbehaving, even though it sounds less serious and less hinting of being upset or furious compared to the Cantonese equivalent terms.

Usage: E.g. Jayden，你唔勤力啲swim，媽咪同爸B會angry㗎！(Jayden, if you don't work harder on swimmig, Mami and Daddy will be angry!)

Synonym: 嬲; 激氣; 憤怒; 生氣

Reference: https://eastweek.stheadline.com/pets/18474/Jayden媽咪是誰社交網絡爆紅兼殺入毛孩界