Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Derived from the idiom '眼大睇過龍', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that refers to failing to notice something. ie. To overlook.

Usage: E.g. A: Where is my phone? B: It's right here in front of you. You are really 'eyes big see through dragon!'

Synonym: 眼大睇過龍

Reference: https://youtu.be/_3hhDIErE2g?si=SLsZUTCKhV5cfm8x

Definition: An ultra polite code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who really know how to sincerely say sorry or apologise to someone.

Usage: E.g. Do姐：全部都錯。嗱，唔係sorly，係sorry，捲脷架。(Carol Cheng: All wrong. It's not sorly, it's sorry, you have to roll your tongue.)

Synonym: Sor, 對唔住

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPgONqRk7Qc/?igsh=NWZ3ODYzdjBydmdj (use mobile version)

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers when they cannot get the f**k out the train on the MTR. Literal meaning: Please move aside.

Usage: E.g. Mm goi. (唔該) *nobody moves* Mm ho yi si. (唔好意思) *nobody moves* Mm goi jeh jeh! (唔該借借) *people move out of the way*

Synonym: 唔該借借

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong teachers to make it clear and explicit that their students are essentially dead if they hand in their homework or assignment late, as the Cantonese equivalent phrase ‘截止日期’ does not denote the meaning of death at all.

Usage: E.g. 聽日就係deadline, 唔交功課就零雞蛋！(Tomorrow is deadline. If you do not hand in your homework, you will get a zero mark!)

Synonym: 截止日期

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/809281/page/1

Definition: Originated from the olden days where the upper class loved to wear old sheepskin of high quality, this is a Kongish code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to describe someone who has low social status and tries to mimick the upper class by wearing cheap quality clothing that matches the appearance of expensive clothing. ie. The white colour and look of fresh carrot skin resembles the look of old sheepskin.

Usage: E.g. You think you are so high class? What kind of fresh carrot skin are you?

Synonym: 新鮮蘿蔔皮

Reference: https://voltra.academy/blog/canton2

Definition: Even though the word 'double' may seem redundant, this is a code-mixing expression that is often used in the workplaces of Hong Kong when you want to verify something.

Usage: E.g. 可唔可以double confirm吓個schedule呀？ E.g. 唔該幫我double confirm吓每一個detail呀。

Synonym: 雙重確認

Reference: https://smelab.com.hk/職場英語-double-confirm-reconfirm/

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to more efficient and sometimes less official way of making a request for a job.

Usage: E.g. Jobsdb見到好多agent公司幫公司請人，一apply班agent就打來phone call，唔理你是唔是工作時間都打來，即刻問長問短... 不如直接同公司apply. (On JobsDB, you see a lot of recruitment agencies hiring for companies; the moment you apply, the agents call you—often without caring whether it’s during office hours—and immediately they start grilling you with questions... You're better off applying directly to the company.)

Synonym: 申請

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3975336/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term that often refers to a computer/video game.

Usage: E.g. 你最鍾意玩邊隻game呀？

Synonym: 遊戲

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong aunties to refer to the Cathay Pacific airlines. However, it may have nothing to do with Cathay being a cafe.

Usage: E.g. A: 你搭咩航空？ B: Cafe Pacific囉。

Synonym: 國泰

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRCavrZCNbZ/?igsh=MTNmNHJmNGtmOG4xZw== (use mobile version)

Definition: A romanised code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to refer to a type of fried noodles with soy sauce flavour that people like to eat every day because it is so easy to make and adaptable to different ingredients and tastes.

Usage: E.g. Would you like chow mein with ham, beef, or chicken? Want to add some sesame, sweet and spicy sauce?

Synonym: 炒麵

Reference: https://amp.lihkg.com/thread/4150389/page/1