Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Often pronounced as 'Skypy', this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the instant messaging software 'Skype'.

Usage: E.g. 你幾時得閒呀？我想用Skypy打比你呀。

Reference: https://www.hk01.com/開罐/633876/港式英語-19個英文字港人常讀錯-釘橋-cam錢-janet讀到似中文

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: A shortened term for 'long distance' meaning to have a long distance relationship with someone.

Usage: E.g. 我plan左去working holiday。到陣時要同男朋友long d喇。

Synonym: 遠距離戀愛; 異地戀

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uik5GWvXiLA&t=210s

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: Often pronounced as 'grandma', this is a code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use to refer to the set of rules that define the structure of a language, which can be difficult and annoying sometimes like a grandma.

Usage: E.g. 今次考試要考埋英文grammar。真係好麻煩呀！(The exam will also cover English grammar this time. So frigging annoying!)

Synonym: 語法

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3389792/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong students use to refer to the subject 'psychology'.

Usage: E.g. 讀psycho難唔難呀？聽講今年有好多人肥左。

Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf

Definition: A shortened term of the word 'confirm' in English, used to maximise communicative efficiency and to get the listener to confirm ASAP.

Usage: E.g. 下個月個party既日期firm左未呀？ E.g. 你下次個appointment firm左未呀？ E.g. Firm左未呀？快Ｄ啦。

Definition: A code-mixing term that is used in place of '交'.

Usage: E.g. 同學：份功課幾時due呀？你：好似聽日due得喇喎。

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use to refer to sitting through a lecture without participating in it, which is usually used for those who don't belong to the class or course.

Usage: E.g. 同學：可以邀請我sit堂嗎？ E.g. 我見到嗰位先生成日要sit堂。係助教還是professor?

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers tend to use instead of the Cantonese equivalent words '即係'.

Usage: E.g. 今日呢個demo係做比大家睇既，which is：如果你地有D咩問題想問關於呢個project，或者你地覺得有D咩地方可以再做好D，請隨便發問或者提議。