Hong Kong Code-mixing Dictionary

Definition: A code-mixing term that working class Hong Kongers use to recommend a candidate for a vacant position.

Usage: E.g. 如果你識到朋友做呢行，可以refer佢比我地嗎？

Synonym: 推薦, 介紹

Reference: https://goop.ai/topic/2r3f/尋英文補習教學partner

Definition: A code-mixing term used by real ABC Hong Kongers to say good morning because they cannot pronounce the Cantonese equivalent words '早晨' properly.

Usage: E.g. ＡＢＣ：Jo sun!　本土香港人：吓？你講咩話？ ＡＢＣ：Good morning!

Synonym: 早晨

Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term used as an interjection to express frustration or annoyance when something surprising occurs. (哎呀)

Usage: E.g. Aiya! I missed the bus! E.g. Aiya! I dropped the cake! E.g. Aiya! I just needed one more mark to pass the test!

Synonym: 哎呀

Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/seven-cantonese-phrases-that-should-be-in-the-oed

Definition: A code-mixing term that overseas educated Hong Kongers use to refer the way in which a person can start a conversation with someone, especially for the purpose of drawing nearer to them in relationship or distance.

Usage: E.g. 到底可以點approach男仔? (How on earth can I approach boys?)

Synonym: 靠近

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/546513/page/13

Definition: (noun) A code-mixing term that Hong Kongers say in order to avoid bad luck, which is similar to '大吉利是' in Cantonese.

Usage: E.g. Touchwood講句，如果件貨聽日唔準時到，請問要等到幾時呢？

Reference: https://lihkg.com/thread/733616/page/1

Definition: A code-mixing term used by native Hong Kongers to show admiration, honour and politeness towards someone who they consider important regardless of age or level of authority.

Usage: E.g. 你一個人做完成個project辛苦曬啦，Respect！(Thank you for having finished the entire project on your own. Respect!)

Synonym: 尊重, 尊敬

Reference: https://www.elle.com.hk/life/popular-slangs

Definition: Pronounced with a rising tone on the second syllable, this is a code-mixing term that refers to 'calculator'.  Also used as 'cal機' sometimes.

Usage: E.g. 唔該借個cal機比我呀？ E.g. 試下用caltor check吓個answer。

Synonym: 計數機

Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uik5GWvXiLA&t=210s

Definition: A code-mixing term used by real ABCs in Hong Kong to refer to an Asian who speaks English. Ie. Yellow on the outside and white on the inside. （香蕉）

Usage: E.g. I am not a banana! I know how to speak Chinese!

Synonym: 香蕉

Definition: A more effortless way of apologising to someone without sounding so formal and serious. Sometimes, it is pronounced as 'sor-li'.

Usage: E.g. Sorry呀，踩親你。 E.g. Sorry呀，我遲到左。 E.g.你：對唔住！係我抵死，係我唔岩！朋友：唔洗咁隆重。你:SORRY囉。

Synonym: 對唔住

Reference: https://www.academia.edu/8666953/Common_usage_of_code-mixing_among_trilingual_Hong_Kongers

Definition: A shortened code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to the word 'register', such as registering for an account in an app to become a member.

Usage: E.g. 快D download個app再reg個account成為會員啦！

Synonym: 申請