Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by a Jayden Mami to order their children to put away their phones authoritatively.

Usage: E.g. Jayden，媽咪 told you 㗎，講咗唔好睇咁耐 phone 呀，你對 eye 會好 tired 㗎！快啲 put away your phone，過嚟 finish 咗你份 homework 佢！(Jayden, Mami told you not to look at your phone for too long, or else your eyes will be very tired! Put away your phone quickly and come here to finish your homework!)

Synonym: 收埋你個電話

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

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe a person who is perverted. (鹹濕)

Usage: E.g. Don't be so salty wet watch girls all the time la.

Synonym: 鹹濕

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/8-colloquialisms-unique-to-cantonese

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: Often mistaken as 'no thanks' or refusal to an offer, this is a code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers to acknowledge someone's gratitude, which is comparable to 'You are welcome'.

Usage: E.g. 岩岩做野果時幫佢手 佢同我講Thanks。我諗唔到除左No Thanks/ It’s Fine之外仲有咩回應。(When I started working for him at that time, he used to say 'thanks'. But I could not think of any phrases other than 'No Thanks/It's fine' as a response.)

Synonym: 唔洗唔該

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/599066/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to being clever and quick-witted as well as having a high degree of punctuality for work.

Usage: E.g. 你要加入我地公司既話，你一定要好sharp。(If you want to join our company, you must be really sharp-minded and punctual.)

Synonym: 醒目; 準時

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: Often shortened to 'pkm' in textspeak, this is a code-mixing term used by Gen Z native Hong Kongers to refer to Pokemon. However, it is not to be confused with 'PK' in Cantonese, which is a vulgar expression meaning to tell someone to go to h*ll.

Usage: E.g 你本身唔中意pkm點爆都唔會開心 (If you don't like Pokemon, you will never be happy ripping open card boosters.)

Synonym: Pokemon

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@plee_0107/post/DakcU7DEg0D/

Definition: A jubilant, nonchalant way of showing off to your friends. Used together with 'juice' in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 哎呀！今次唔洗溫書都實pass啦！Easy汁啦！

Synonym: 容易

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: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term that is used as an adverb to emphasize the intensity of an adjective, which is similar to ‘very’ in English.

Usage: E.g. Ho ging ah! (Very powerful) E.g. Ho ying ah! (Very good looking) E.g. Ho jeng ah! (Very good or awesome) E.g. Ho ho may! (Very delicious)

Synonym: 好

Reference: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/12-phrases-you-need-to-know-before-you-visit-hong-kong#:~:text=An%2520alternative%2520to%2520“hou%2520ging,jeng”%2520if%2520something%2520is%2520awesome.