Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Known as Kongish and used as '有種' (have seed), this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to not being afraid or having the guts to do something.

Usage: E.g. If you have seed, then I will give you some colour see see! (有種)

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?3,139574,139575

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kongers to refer to talking to someone in order to know what they have been doing.

Usage: E.g. 我地幾時會再catch up吓？好耐冇見喇。

Synonym: 趕上進度

Definition: This is a code-mixing term used to refer to claiming money.  However, it is often pronounced as 'kam' by grassroot class Hong Kongers.

Usage: E.g. 請問讀完個course有冇得kam返d錢架？ E.g. 請問ｄ飯錢可唔可以問返公司kam架？

Synonym: 索取

Reference: https://holiday.presslogic.com/article/224449/港式-廣東話-中英夾雜-口語-香港人-搭lift-食lunch

Definition: Often mistaken as mispronunciation, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to the USB Type-C connector or port that is used by a variety of peripheral devices, such as PC's, laptops, mobile devices, mice, etc.

Usage: E.g. 事關上面Type C 的Tape 音。所以有點疑惑: Type-C 是一個term, 所以讀法唔同？(Regarding the above link's Tape pronunciation of Type C, I have the following question: If Type-C is a term, does it pronounce differently?)

Synonym: Type C

Reference: https://m.review33.com/forum_msg.php?db=3&tstart=0&s=&topic=85220221230810&number=6&sort=1

Definition: A code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kong girls to refer to showing loving kindness towards a person to a point where you could be having a crush on that person.

Usage: E.g. 素海霖：你太care我 care到我覺得你鍾意我 (Erena So: You care too much about me to the point where I feel you like me)

Synonym: 關心

Reference: https://www.stheadline.com/film-drama/3587216

Definition: A code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers like to use instead of '圖案'.

Usage: E.g. 件衫個pattern幾靚喎。喺邊到買架？ E.g. 同學：喂，你覺得每次Ｄ ＭＣ題目會有咩pattern呀？

Synonym: 圖案

Definition: Originated from French, this is a code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers to refer to ordering single dishes individually.

Usage: E.g. 如果你唔鍾意叫set dinner，你可以叫 à la carte。(If you don't like to order the set dinner, you can order single dishes.)

Synonym: 單點; 散嗌; 散叫

Reference: http://paper.wenweipo.com/2011/12/21/ED1112210026.htm

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong local students to refer to vocabulary that they simply need to memorise for tests and exams but don't really use in their everyday life.

Usage: E.g. 另外就係成日都喺度死記硬背vocab, 好複雜咁樣教文法，聽到都頭痛。(The other thing is that we always needed to memorise vocabulary like rote-learning, and grammar is also being taught in a very complicated way, which is a headache to listen to.)

Synonym: 詞彙

Reference: https://www.threads.com/share/BANtUhMr8G/

Definition: (textspeak) A Kongish code-mixing term transliterated from ‘食飯’, which means eat rice.

Usage: E.g. Sik jor farn mei ar? (食左飯未呀？） E.g. Hor yee sik farn la. (可以食飯喇）

Synonym: 食飯

Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/2019/11/16/the-use-of-transliteration-in-kongish/

Definition: Often transliterated and pronounced as the loan phrase '肥佬' meaning 'fat guy', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to describe getting an unsuccessful result when doing something. Sometimes, it can be shortened to '肥' (fat) as a verb.

Usage: E.g. 哎呀！今次考試肥左佬！ E.g. 唔係掛？考咁多次都肥？！

Synonym: 肥佬

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/16296/