Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A way to express how nice someone is on the surface.

Usage: E.g. 佢個人好nice，但係識耐左先知道原來係虛偽。E.g. 佢個人好nice，不過唔知個人好唔好呢？

Synonym: 友善

Definition: Derived from 'add oil' in Cantonese, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that local Hong Kongers use to express encouragement and support for another person.

Usage: Ga yau! You can win this game!

Synonym: 加油

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 upper class Hong Kongers who have more than a regular habit of drinking champagnes.

Usage: E.g. 今日係禮拜五晚，我地黎支ｃｈａｍｐａｇｎｅ嗱？！

Synonym: 香檳

Definition: With a literal meaning of 'humbly receive', this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers who work in Japanese companies to express politeness before starting to eat a meal, which is equivalent to "Let's eat" in English.

Usage: E.g. A: Itadakimas! B: 其實係唔係一定要講？A: 唔係，不過有禮貌啲囉。(A: Itadakimas! B: Do we actually have to say this? A: No, but it's more polite if we do.)

Synonym: 開飯喇, 唔客氣喇, Let's eat

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itadakimasu

Definition: Originated from ‘gg’ meaning ‘game over' and often transliterated as the loan word ‘豬‘ meaning pig, this is a code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students use to describe situations where they have lost or think they already lost. Even though ‘豬‘ has a similar sound as 'g', this is not to be mistaken as a mispronunication as a pig represents stupidity in Cantonese and fits the context and meaning entirely. Also said to have originated from Taiwanese.

Usage: E.g. 今次對手咁勁，真係豬喇喎。(Our opponents are so powerful this time, it's really game over.) E.g. 今次考試豬左。(My exam results is game over.)

Synonym: 豬, 完了，GG

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3388417/page/1

Definition: A Kongish expression used to describe someone who is so reckless that he or she is almost getting himself killed or into a big trouble.

Usage: You spent all your money on gambling? Do you know how to write the die character?!

Synonym: 你唔知個死字點寫

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to recommend a candidate for a vacant position.

Usage: E.g. 如果你識到朋友做呢行，可以refer佢比我地嗎？

Synonym: 推薦, 介紹

Reference: https://goop.ai/topic/2r3f/尋英文補習教學partner

Definition: Derived from '你大我?‘, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use when they feel that someone is bluffing them by a display of confidence.

Usage: E.g. You big me? 我big返你and give you some color you see呀！(你大我？我大返你再比D顏色你睇呀！）

Synonym: 你大我?

Definition: Often used as '散band', this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to dismissing after an event, such as a party.

Usage: E.g. 今晚幾點散band?

Synonym: 解散

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW0x5-SyI4o