Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: (adj.) A code-mixing term used to describe someone or something as being very trendy.

Usage: E.g. 哇，你今日著得好IN呀。 E.g. 聽返D流行音樂，咁先夠IN架嘛。 E.g. 做後生仔要夠IN先得架嘛。

Synonym: 潮

Definition: Originated from ‘sayonara’, this is a code-mixing term used by grassroots Hong Kongers who like to show off their limited Japanese language knowledge when they play with kids who are into Japanese anime.

Usage: E.g. 下次再同你玩過。Sayunana!

Synonym: sayonara, 拜拜

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3743607/page/1

Definition: Known as JM tone and pronounced with an extra 'r' in Armani, this is a code-mixing term used by Hong Kong celebrity Janice Man to refer to the Italian fashion designer and brand.

Usage: E.g.「嚟到GoRgio ARmaRni(Giorgio Armani)嘅show嘅現場…」馬米高聽到一臉疑惑︰「Hello Girl！你去咗冒牌現場啊？ Giorgio Arrr讀到呢度都啱，但係咪ar-MARNI？冇R喎！」(Janice Man: "Arriving at the live show of Giorgio ArmaRni..." Michael Ma heard and suspected: "Hello Girl! Did you go to the fake brand's live show? Giorgio Arrr is pronounced correctly, but is it ar-MARNI? There is no R there!)

Synonym: 喬治·亞曼尼, Giorgio Armani

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVyay3rgqtf/?igsh=MWU0bGlyajBnM3B5OQ== (use mobile version)

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to illustrate the distance between two parties in terms of their communication, which is often due to their difference in job positions or departments in a company. Sometimes, it may be caused by forgeting to say "double confirm", which is a common phrase used by Hong Kongers at workplace to really make sure that certain information is correct.

Usage: E.g. 其實呢啲communication gap 大家可以做好D減少誤會，寫多兩句confirm is better。(As for these communication gaps, it is better for us all to try and minimise misunderstandings by saying 'confirm' more.)

Synonym: 溝通差距

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@purpzc/post/C-l0fNJyiZM?hl=en

Definition: A more sophisticated way of expressing chance (機會) in Cantonese, as the English term denotes prospect for advancement or success.

Usage: E.g. 好多謝貴公司今日比呢個opportunity我地黎做個presentation．

Synonym: 機會

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong actor 楊偉倫 to express loyalty to his boss in the movie of Night King that he would absolutely go all out and brave any danger and obstacles.

Usage: E.g. 「我土地，學富五car，如果他朝有一日，你真的開鴨店的話，我赴湯蹈fire，做你頭牌！」(I'm Land, learned and knowledgeable like five cars. If one day you really open a male escort club, I'll brave any danger, go all out, and be your top male escort!)

Synonym: 赴湯蹈火

Reference: https://www.gotrip.hk/娛樂/夜王-黃子華-金句-1863616/3/

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that refers to something that is like an eyesore to oneself because he or she cannot withstand it anymore.

Usage: E.g. 你地做成日都打爛野。我真係no eye see喇。（冇眼睇）

Synonym: 冇眼睇

Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/tag/kongish/

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used instead of '取錄'.

Usage: E.g. 家人：邊間大學比左offer你呀？ 你：仲未有offer呀。唔知幾時呢？

Synonym: 取錄

Definition: A posh way of saying that you admire someone's work or effort, in order to show your high social status or higher education background.

Usage: E.g. 我好appreciate你個idea. Well done. E.g. 我好appreciate你做既野。不過，你都唔可以迫我accept你個apology。

Synonym: 欣賞

Definition: A code-mixing term that upper class Hong Kongers love to use to refer to ‘下午茶’, which is afternoon tea.

Usage: E.g. 今日下晝有冇時間high tea呀？ E.g. High唔high tea呀你？ (下午茶）

Synonym: 下午茶