Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone who sleeps very late and doesn't wake up early. Similar to 'night owl' in English. (夜貓/夜鬼)

Usage: E.g. Maintain good health by sleeping early! Don't be a night cat / night ghost!

Synonym: 夜貓/夜鬼

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/55996/

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to staying healthy and in good shape by doing physical exercise.

Usage: E.g. 平時食咁多野又忙住做野，要keep fit先得架！(If you eat a lot regularly and are busy working all the time, you should keep fit!)

Synonym: 保持身體健康

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Za8b2zE0uYg

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to something happening or behaving the same way as before over time.

Usage: E.g. 我：‘I need to stay consistent!’ 講英文人：Consistent 廣東話係乜嘢？(Me: I need to stay consistent! English speaker: What is consistent in Cantonese?)

Synonym: keep住

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@tracywongdc/post/DE-HfeUuJEx

Definition: It's slang for when a person eats something and it's unsuccessfully digested. Resulting in the food being pooped out the next day still intact.

Usage: I'll pass on corn or string mushrooms guys. I don't want a "see you tomorrow" situation happening tomorrow morning

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by westernised Hong Kongers who really miss hearing the word Eve from Christmas Eve so much that they wished Christmas could prolong to the new year.

Usage: E.g. New Year’s Eve你會同朋友交換禮物嗎？B: 吓，唔係聖誕節先會交換禮物咩？！(Will you exchange gifts with friends on New Year's Eve? B: What? Don't people exchange gifts during Christmas instead?)

Synonym: 除夕

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/知性女生/60307715/除夕倒數2026-10大倒數好去處-迪士尼煙花-西九音樂會-倒數派對

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used by people in the IT sector to refer to a computer bug (漏洞).

Usage: E.g. 唔係掛？今次個program有咁多bug？！

Synonym: 漏洞

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to express frustration or distress when one encounters a problem.

Usage: E.g. Ding! I missed the bus! (頂) E.g. Ding your lungs! How dare you talk to me like this? (頂你個肺)

Reference: https://ovolohotels.com/ovolo/blog/7-cantonese-slangs-guaranteed-to-impress-a-local/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CDing!&text=Definition%3A%20It's%20simply%20another%20way,and%20shout%2C%20%E2%80%9CDING!%E2%80%9D

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to betraying someone after receiving some offer or advantage from them. (食碗面反碗底)

Usage: E.g. I gave you so many benefits and you eat bowl face turn bowl down?!!

Synonym: 食碗面反碗底

Reference: https://www.scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/486w/public/images/methode/2016/01/21/c10168a8-bff3-11e5-9503-d84cbca18933_486x.jpg?itok=sF-XAnJn

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone being forgetful and careless, such as forgetting their keys or where they put their phone. (大頭蝦 - daai6 tau4 haa1)

Usage: E.g. A: You forgot to bring your wallet? Such a big head shrimp!

Synonym: 大頭蝦

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-大頭蝦-big-head-prawn-language-hong-kong/

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to hanging up the phone.

Usage: E.g. 又cut我電話？咩事呀？ E.g. 呢D sales再打黎cut佢線得架喇。

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