Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: An abbreviated code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to following someone on social media.

Usage: E.g. 你fo左我IG未？快D fo啦!

Definition: A code-mixing term often used by working class Hong Kongers to indicate the purpose of a product, in order to pitch and sell it to a customer.

Usage: E.g. 呢個app係for你地客戶用架，令到你地方便好多。 E.g. 呢樣產品係for女士用架，尤其係貪靚嗰D。

Reference: https://cantowords.com/dictionary/for#w100337

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that refers to being eliminated in a competition, or being disqualified due to breaking the rules in a sports game.

Usage: E.g. 小心比球證吹罰呀。再犯多次規就foul你出局。 E.g. 我第一round interview就比人foul左喇。真係慘慘豬。

Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

Definition: (verb) A code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to a less physical directing of attention onto something. Sometimes, it may be used in order to avoid sounding like one has ADHD.

Usage: E.g. 老師，我頭先focus唔到聽書，可唔可以再講多次？(Teacher, I really can't focus on listening to your lecture. Can you repeat again?)

Synonym: 專注; 集中

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/CynQSwpSd-P/?img_index=5 (use mobile version)

Definition: This is a code-mixing term that is used instead of the Cantonese equivalent '文件夾' to refer to a physical folder or a virtual folder on a computer.

Usage: E.g. 喺你個desktop上面開個folder，然後將你既file放入去。 E.g. 老師：唔該把所有功課放喺你個文件夾入面。同學：吓？文件夾？老師，你係邊到黎架？

Synonym: 文件夾

Definition: A classic code-mixing term often used with the word 'case' to get someone to follow up on something in a professional manner.  However, it is now often associated with the 'follow' used in social media.

Usage: E.g. 唔該同我follow吓個case呀。 E.g. 呢個case follow成點呀？ E.g. 快D follow我個IG啦！

Reference: https://www.gushiciku.cn/dl/0pydp/zh-hk

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers that refers to a person who loves food and likes to try different kinds of food. However, it is often used as a term similar to the level of a gourmet even though the person may not be a food expert.

Usage: E.g. 而家啲ig foodie以為自己真係食評家。(Nowadays the foodies on IG really think they are real gourmets.)

Synonym: 美食愛好者

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2093295/page/1

Definition: A useful alternative if your boss is tired of hearing the word 'somehow' when you want to avoid saying 'I don't know' to a question.

Usage: E.g. For some reason個file corrupt左。 E.g. For some reason個printer壞左。 E.g. For some reason今次個客唔搵我地。

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to having enough money to buy something without indicating one's ability to cope with such burden.

Usage: E.g. 點解要鍾意自己 afford 唔起嘅 luxury? (Why love luxury that you can't afford?)

Synonym: 負擔得起; 買得起

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DP3vop4Epm7/ (use mobile version)

Definition: (Kongish) When something goes completely wrong. Or doesn't work out (fail, flop)

Usage: Sei fo! We didn't prepare for the presentation today. It was a total flop!

Synonym: 死火