Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used by Hong Kongers instead of '在家工作'.

Usage: E.g. 我今日真係爽呀，可以work from home。成日煲netflix都得啦！

Synonym: 在家工作

Definition: A code-mixing term that refers to the ending of a matter, story, or event.

Usage: E.g. Ending係點，我地自己決定架。(來至電影"明日戰記"）

Synonym: 結局

Definition: (verb) This is an Englishised Cantonese word that refers to slacking off or having nothing to do.

Usage: E.g. 哇！今日返工真係好hea呀！E.g.唔洗咁急。Hea下先再做野啦。

Reference: https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-hea-chok-chur/

Definition: A fashionable code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to refer to a meal served at noontime where they can be more casual, carefree and relaxed than in an environment created by the Cantonese equivalent ’午餐‘.

Usage: E.g. 你仲做野？快啲食lunch先啦！(You are still working? Let’s eat lunch first!)

Synonym: 午餐

Reference: https://www.ilc.cuhk.edu.hk/workshop/Chinese/Cantonese/CantoneseExpress/characteristics/p2.aspx

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 Hong Kongers often use instead of the Cantonese equivalent '心情'.

Usage: E.g. 今日出面咁多人咁迫，真係冇咩mood行街。

Synonym: 心情

Reference: http://www.cmi.hku.hk/Ref/Article/article02/01.html

Definition: A code-mixing term that is often used with “啱key”, which refers to whether you get along well with somebody. Explanation: like the key in a piece of music.

Usage: Eg. 你同你朋友啱唔啱key呀？

Reference: https://shyyp.net/hant/phrase/啱key

Definition: Often used in a Jayden Mami parody, this is a code-mixing term used by a typical Hong Kong modern mother to refer to physical uncleanliness in a mildly negative way.

Usage: E.g. Jayden做咩趴喺條street度呀，個ground好dirty㗎，仲要比d dog踩上你個頭度，你再唔get up mami就angry㗎啦。(Jayden, why are you lying on the street? The ground is so dirty, and you're letting a dog step over you. If you don't get up, Mami will be angry.)

Synonym: 污糟

Reference: https://eastweek.stheadline.com/pets/18474/Jayden媽咪是誰社交網絡爆紅兼殺入毛孩界

Definition: Originated from 'thank you' and often pronounced as '釘橋' meaning nail bridge in Cantonese, this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers to express their gratitude towards someone.

Usage: E.g. Dank you哂你幫我手呀。不如我今日請你食lunch好嗎？(Thank you for helping me out. What about I treat you lunch today?)

Synonym: thank you, 釘橋

Reference: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLR0QEuMT7j/ (use mobile version)

Definition: Often repeated after '所以' (so) in Cantonese, this is to reinforce what this speaker is trying to explain, especially in a work situation.

Usage: E.g. 程序上有好多野要double confirm，所以that's why個project到兒家仲未出街。