Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

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)

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kong students love to use to refer to having an argument with another person in a peaceful, academic manner.

Usage: E.g. 我同我個男朋友平時好鍾意嗌交，嗌吓呢樣又嗰樣，不過都係debate姐。(I like to argue with my boyfriend all the time, about this and that, but it's just debating.)

Synonym: 辯論

Reference: https://www.threads.com/@yyanchi._/post/C3_6NO0ySjE?hl=zh-hk

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase that native Hong Kongers use to refer to getting fired from a job. (炒魷魚 - caau2 jau4 jyu2)

Usage: E.g. I messed up at work today and I got stir-fried squid!!!

Synonym: 炒魷魚

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-老細炒咗我魷-stir-fried-me-squid/

Definition: A noun-turned-adjective code-mixing term used to describe how charming or attractive a person is.

Usage: E.g. 喂，你覺得佢好ｃｈａｒｍ嗎？ E.g. 你今日著得好cｈａｒｍ喎。

Synonym: 有魅力

Definition: A noun phrase-looking code-mixing verb that native Hong Kongers use to refer to someone who did not turn up at an event or occasion.

Usage: E.g. 大日子遲到同no show無分別 (On an important occasion, there is no difference between being late and not showing up.)

Synonym: 冇到, 缺席

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3844386/page/9

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to refer to the activity of finding a job, which definitely sounds more fun, exciting and challenging than the Cantonese equivalent terms '求職' and '找工作'.

Usage: E.g. A: 你搵到工嗎? B: 冇呀，我仲喺到job hunting。

Synonym: 求職, 找工作

Reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/HongKong/comments/1opsow8/job_hunting_socialising_in_hk/

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to money and lots of different things.

Usage: E.g. Blow water. (吹水 - to chat casually or brag about something) E.g. Measure water. (磅水 - to give money) E.g. Return water. (回水 - to return money) E.g. Clear water. (通水 - to give secret info like a test) E.g. Draw water. (抽水 - to get profit or benefit for free) E.g. One lump of water. (一舊水 - one hundred dollars) E.g. What water? (乜水 - who the heck are you?)

Reference: https://topick.hket.com/article/679575/%E5%BB%A3%E6%9D%B1%E8%A9%B1%E8%80%83%E8%B5%B7%E4%BD%A0%E3%80%80%E3%80%8C%E6%B0%B4%E3%80%8D%E5%AD%97%E6%9C%89%E5%B9%BE%E5%A4%9A%E7%A8%AE%E6%84%8F%E6%80%9D%EF%BC%9F

Definition: Also written as '啹' in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term that refers to the feeling of accepting somebody who is an adversary.

Usage: E.g. 佢上次嬴我令到我好唔gur，不過今次我嬴返佢我就gur哂。

Synonym: 啹

Reference: https://words.hk/zidin/v/啹

Definition: A code-mixing term that local Hong Kongers use to refer to a small wireless unit that is plugged into a computer’s USB port for receiving signals for a keyboard or mouse.

Usage: E.g. 有冇見過我個receiver? 我好似唔見左。

Synonym: 接收器

Definition: A code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers when they want to tell somebody to be ready to do something anytime without making them feel ordered to do the task.

Usage: E.g. 聽日放工記住隨時standby，有可能有客搵你。(Remember to standby tomorrow after work, as there may be customers who need you.)

Synonym: 待命；候命

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/3476706/page/1