Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to a meeting invitation sent out by the MS Outlook software.

Usage: E.g. 係咪聽日想開會傾呢樣野？唔該send個invitation黎先。

Synonym: 邀請

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers like to use to refer to a serious disease that kills normal cells and causes death.

Usage: E.g. A：唔好食咁多公仔麵，如果咪生cancer架。B：啋過你把口！

Synonym: 癌

Reference: https://www.threads.net/@hongtonese/post/C8zlfwZytLZ

Definition: Derived from the idiom '傾國傾城', this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase used to describe women that are so devastatingly beautiful that they can make a country or city fall.

Usage: E.g. The girls in this club are so fall country fall city!

Synonym: 傾國傾城

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to leaving past memories behind so they can progress or continue in life.

Usage: E.g. 被分手嘅大家係點move on? (How does everyone move on from a breakup?)

Synonym: 繼續前行

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2705628/page/6

Definition: Originated from '甩P' in Cantonese, this is a Kongish code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to losing one's probationary driving licence period in order to obtain a full driving licence.

Usage: E.g. 在香港新領取車牌後，需在汽車展示「P」字，司機擁有1年駕駛經驗方可獲正式駕駛執照，即俗稱「甩P」。(After receiving a new car licence in Hong Kong, the "P" sign is required to be displayed on a person's car. Drivers need to have one year of driving experience before they can obtain a full driving licence, commonly known as "lose P".)

Synonym: 甩P

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ6XwbejWAe/ (use mobile version)

Definition: Often pronounced as ‘mee-mee’ with a falling intonation, this is a code-mixing term used by local Hong Kong students to refer to an idea, image or video that is spread quickly on the internet.

Usage: E.g. 有冇人覺得香港人整啲meme好撚尷尬？？？(Does anyone think the memes made by Hong Kong people are so f***ing awkward?)

Synonym: 迷因圖, 咪咪

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2213202/page/18

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers often use instead of saying '開會' or having a '會議'.

Usage: E.g. 我聽日九點鐘有個meeting。開完meeting再搵你呀？

Synonym: 會議

Reference: https://theinitium.com/roundtable/20170226-lifestyle-mix-chn-eng/

Definition: A code-mixing term used by overseas educated Hong Kongers to refer to the school that a person had graduated from. However, working class and grassroots Hong Kongers may know this term but not use it because it sounds too Latin than English. Hence, they find ‘mother school’ is more sensible and practical to use.

Usage: E.g. 你既alma mater係邊間學校？

Synonym: 母校, mother school

Reference: https://youtube.com/shorts/Br8CWgYQNak?si=aFaIMvdv2YSnCxvh

Definition: A code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use when they want to express rejection politely without sounding so blunt.

Usage: E.g. 我發現幾多人返工唔識Say No。(I found out there are many people who don't know how to say no at work.) E.g. 唔好意思，我要揸車，所以要對酒精say no。(Sorry, I need to drive so I have to say no to drinking.)

Synonym: 講唔好

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3268602/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term that Hong Kong students use to refer to the subject 'psychology'.

Usage: E.g. 讀psycho難唔難呀？聽講今年有好多人肥左。

Reference: http://www.patrickchu.net/uploads/9/0/5/3/9053324/2007_free_ppt.pdf