Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term used by Hong Kong local students to refer to the quality of being rough or even unkind, in addition to being strict in following rules or standards.

Usage: E.g. 個professor好charm啊，但係有少少harsh... (The professor is very charming, but is a little harsh.)

Synonym: 嚴格; 嚴厲

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/86453/page/4

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a phrase used by native Hong Kongers to place blame on someone in order to let him/her to face charges of crime.

Usage: E.g. Let's build raw pork meat on this guy!

Synonym: 砌生豬肉

Reference: https://evchk.fandom.com/zh/wiki/砌生豬肉

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to express disbelief at someone in fulfilling a promise. (比個官你做)

Usage: E.g. You say you will return your money by tomorrow? I let you be the government official!

Synonym: 比個官你做

Definition: A romanised code-mixing phrase that westernised Hong Kongers use to refer to an easy task, which is equivalent to 'piece of cake' in English.

Usage: E.g. A: Thanks for helping me out! B: No problem! Sup sup sui la!

Synonym: 濕濕碎

Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-guide-hong-kong-descriptive-slang-phrases

Definition: Originated from a tradition where people would donate gifts to those in need, this is a code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who do not want to be misunderstood as the day on which they would open presents, as the Cantonese equivalent terms denote the opening of presents on that day.

Usage: E.g. 聽日就係boxing day。你會去邊到shopping？(Tomorrow is boxing day. Where will you go shopping?)

Synonym: 節禮日, 拆禮物日

Reference: https://zh-yue.wikipedia.org/wiki/拆禮物日

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often overused by Fake ABC's in Hong Kong to strike a western impression, as they believe knowing the 'r' sound will make them superior.

Usage: E.g. Rrreally？可唔可以再講多次呀？ E.g. 唔係嘛？Rrrreally？你話你D英文標準過我？

Synonym: 真的嗎; 真係

Reference: https://hk.news.yahoo.com/港式英文講過舉手-偽abc-語錄-2124292580433974.html

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers have unconsciously adopted to refer to a workplace because they have used Microsoft Office a bit too much growing up for doing homework and assignments.

Usage: E.g. 聽日要返office？唔係打八號風球咩？！(We need to go to office tomorrow? Isn't it gonna be typhoon 8?!)

Synonym: 辦公室

Reference: https://www.jobmarket.com.hk/m/Bastille/返Shift網民大呻轉返Office工仲辛苦：朝九晚六先係真地獄？

Definition: Often said with a rising intonation on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Konger badminton coaches like to use to refer to the exact point in time of something because the Cantonese equivalent ‘時機’ somehow sounds less accurate.

Usage: E.g. 描準個ball，睇好個timing打落去，咁先得架嘛。(Aim at the ball, watch for the right timing and hit it. You got it?)

Synonym: 時機

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe a fat or ugly woman. (豬扒)

Usage: E.g. I think this girl is such a pork chop! I have no interest in her at all! (豬扒)

Synonym: 豬扒

Reference: https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/words/16131/

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to show admiration, honour and politeness towards someone who they consider important regardless of age or level of authority.

Usage: E.g. 你一個人做完成個project辛苦曬啦，Respect！(Thank you for having finished the entire project on your own. Respect!)

Synonym: 尊重, 尊敬

Reference: https://www.elle.com.hk/life/popular-slangs