Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to forming inner circles and having decisions made by its members.

Usage: E.g. You think they are really inviting a bid? They are just wai wai wai!

Synonym: 圍威喂

Reference: https://words.hk/zidin/圍威喂

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

Usage: E.g. 喂，聽日交assignment呀，仲係到做咩呀？！ E.g. 呢份assignment可以借黎參考嗎？

Synonym: 功課

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

Definition: Often pronounced without the 'r' sounds and with a rising tone on the second syllable, this is an a lot more linguistically efficient way of referring to printer (打印機）in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. 內地人:個打印機喺邊呀？ 香港人：咩話？三個字咁累贅。叫返ｐｒｉｎｔｅｒ啦唔該。

Synonym: 打印機

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

Definition: Translated from ‘要咩有咩’ with ‘咩’ (what) having a similar sound utterance of a sheep, this is a Kongish code-mixing phrase that is said during Chinese New Year to wish someone they can get whatever they need.

Usage: E.g. Gong Hei fat choi! I wish you need sheep have sheep this year!

Synonym: 要咩有咩

Reference: https://hklanguage.home.blog/2019/11/12/kongish-a-new-language-of-hong-kongers/

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to refer to something that is so obvious that there is no need to ask anyone about it, especially after finding out the wrong of somebody. 'Ah Gui' is a name that originated from an infamous official (李世桂) in the Qing Dynasty.

Usage: E.g. It must be him who let out the secrets! No need to ask Ah Gui!

Synonym: 唔洗問阿貴

Reference: https://www.kamadelivery.com/blog/posts/香港10大俗語-地道文化背景大解構/

Definition: A code-mixing phrase used by GenZ Hong Kongers as a short and polite way to dismiss someone, especially when resigning from a job.

Usage: E.g. 上司：你唔做喇？ GenZ: 呢封係我辭職信，bye and thx. (Boss: You're quitting? Gen Z: Here's my resignation letter. Bye and thanks.)

Synonym: 再見多謝

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc-2OFyiUMW/?img_index=3&stkn=MXVwc2N4enVteWtnZQ== (use mobile version)

Definition: Also known as 'human router', this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to an employee whose role is simply to help people communicate or transfer information from one to another, without providing much of a real value or asset to the company.

Usage: E.g. 成日話 developer 人難溝通。好多 project manager 溝通咪一樣麻麻地。講野又無 developer 咁直接 淨係識遊花園/做 router。人際關又唔係特別好 (It is often said that developers are difficult to communicate with. But in fact, many project managers communicate just as poorly, as they don't talk as directly as a developer, as they often beat around the bush and act like a router. Their interpersonal skills are also not particularly good.)

Synonym: 人類路由器

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3844073/page/4

Definition: Derived from the noun ‘maintenance’, this is a code-mixing verb used to refer to carrying out maintenance work on something in order to keep it running without errors and issues.

Usage: E.g. D code寫簡短啲，main就容易做啲啦。(Write simpler code so you can carry out maintenance more easily.)

Synonym: Maintenance，維護

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/2545265/page/1

Definition: Originated from Japanese TV show, this is an Englishised code-mixing term used by westernised Hong Kongers to refer to a teenage-like person who often only lives in their own world and does things just to satisfy themselves, or even acting as if they have secret powers.

Usage: E.g. 鍾培生吊威也求婚女友未say yes硬戴戒指網民：太中二了 (Derek Chung proposed to his girlfriend with a wire stunt and put the ring on her while she has not even said yes. Netizens commented: "Such secondary two syndrome!")

Synonym: 中二病

Reference: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1239684264415029/

Definition: To get a refund for something due to dissatisfaction.

Usage: The service was so bad, that's why I wanted to wui shui.

Synonym: 回水