Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to describe someone being forgetful and careless, such as forgetting their keys or where they put their phone. (大頭蝦 - daai6 tau4 haa1)

Usage: E.g. A: You forgot to bring your wallet? Such a big head shrimp!

Synonym: 大頭蝦

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-大頭蝦-big-head-prawn-language-hong-kong/

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use to refer to the Cantonese equivalent '簽證'.

Usage: E.g. 你搞好左travel visa未呀？（旅遊簽證） E.g. 你到外國工作要有working visa架。（工作簽證）

Synonym: 簽證

Definition: Often expressed as two separate words ‘cheese’ and ‘cake’, this is a code-mixing term used by upper class Hong Kongers who have more than a regular habit of going to Starbucks or Pacific Coffee to eat cheesecake.

Usage: E.g. A: 唔該，我想要十個blueberry cheeeeese cake. B: 唔好意思，冇咁多個。(Excuse me, may I have ten blueberry cheesecakes? B: I’m sorry, but there aren’t that many.)

Synonym: 芝士蛋糕

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/760451/page/1

Definition: Purportedly to have been a typo, this is a code-mixing term used by Hong Kong actress singer Shiga Lin to tell someone to rest in peace.

Usage: E.g. Fast & Furious has always been one of my favourite movies. A great actor, may Paul Walker Rest in Piece.

Synonym: 安息

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU5bBdbn4A8

Definition: A Kongish code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers use to refer to something of the best quality.

Usage: E.g. 2000FUN討論區是香港最「Goodest」。

Synonym: 最好，best

Reference: https://evchk.fandom.com/zh/wiki/Goodest

Definition: A romanised code-mixing term used by Hong Kong expats to describe something as delicious or very yummy.

Usage: E.g. If you want to say something is delicious in Cantonese, you need to say 'ho sik'. The Jyutping for this is hou2 sik6. The 'sick' needs to be a low sixth tone.

Synonym: 好食

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wAqzV4KgPZA

Definition: (vulgar) Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to describe a female person who is nosy and meddles in other people's business. Similar to 'bitch' in English. Literal meaning of 八婆: eight old woman

Usage: E.g. Mind your own business, eight woman! （八婆） E.g. Are you done messing around, die eight woman?! （死八婆） E.g. You are such an eight woman! (正八婆）

Synonym: 八婆

Reference: https://www.secretchina.com/news/b5/2013/11/29/521805.html

Definition: Derived from the internet slang 'laugh out loud'. this is a cliche code-mixing term that has grown out of the textspeak medium into human speech. As opposed to 'lol' being such an overused term on the internet where the meaning is often not that literal, the term is used by westernised Hong Kongers to really mean laugh out loud.

Usage: E.g. 睇完套戲真係lol左。(I really laughed out loud after watching the movie!)

Synonym: 大聲笑, 撈

Definition: A code-mixing term used by the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department to describe something as very cool and awesome. However, the AI anti-drug video that used this word was taken down due to citizens suspecting that the video was promoting the illegal use of drugs rather than banning it.

Usage: E,g 可樂消暑易入口，幫你提神保持清醒腦筋。超dope！(Coke is refreshing, easy to drink, and helps perk you up and keep your mind sharp. Super dope!)

Synonym: 超正、超酷、超讚

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S19qZb17o2A

Definition: Derived from literal translation, this is an Englishised code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to a giraffe in a cute way.

Usage: E.g. A giraffe is actually a "long neck deer" in Cantonese.

Synonym: 長頸鹿

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUVzFQYEZ_R/?igsh=NjM5bzc1YXp5MWFi (use mobile version)