{"id":147973,"date":"2025-09-02T10:00:18","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T02:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hongkong\/?p=147973"},"modified":"2025-09-02T10:26:02","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T02:26:02","slug":"hong-kong-slang-urban-dictionary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/hong-kong-slang-urban-dictionary\/","title":{"rendered":"Hong Kong slang 101: Common culture terms that make up the unique lingo in the 852"},"content":{"rendered":"

Behind the endless bright city lights, the abundant towering buildings, and the surreal Blade Runner-esque landscape of Hong Kong lies many niche destinations including independent local bookstores<\/a>, anime wonderlands<\/a>, and underground tattoo parlours<\/a>. We\u2019ve curated some of the most commonly used Hong Kong slang in our very own Urban Dictionary to help you understand a bit more about local culture.<\/p>\n

Hong Kong slang words you should know<\/h2>\n

Hong Kong slang: A tapestry of influences<\/h3>\n

Hong Kong has a complex history. Originally a no-name coastal region in China, it was propelled into fame as a British colony<\/strong> between the 1840s and 1990s. What\u2019s more, Hong Kong was also briefly under Japanese control<\/strong> during World War II. These heavy influences from both of its colonisers and China<\/strong> make Hong Kong truly a melting pot of the East and West.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, since the handover, many Hong Kong families have immigrated overseas, bringing even more western influence into the mix. In the 90s and 2000s, Japanese and Taiwanese popular culture<\/strong> dominated the streets; teens and young adults began dressing in bright and bold Japanese streetwear. Korean culture<\/strong> has also become more prominent over the past decade with the rise of K-pop, K-drama, K-cinema, K-beauty, and K-fashion. Given this vibrant and diverse cultural background, much of Hong Kong slang has emerged as a unique blend of Cantonese, English, and other languages. You\u2019ll get what we mean when you take a look at the examples below!<\/p>\n

1. Yat gau faan (\u4e00\u56bf\u98ef)<\/h3>\n
\"\"
Photography: Unsplash.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This term literally means \u201ca ball of rice\u201d and is used to describe someone who is perceived as dumb, unhelpful, or unresponsive. It’s a colourful way for Hongkongers to express frustration, often in a humorous context. For example, if someone is idle or not helping out, you might hear, \u201cDon\u2019t just stand there like yat gau faan <\/em>(\u4e00\u56bf\u98ef). Help that old lady cross the road!\u201d This slang captures the light-hearted yet straightforward nature of local communication.<\/p>\n

2. Gwai lo \/ jai \/ po \/ mui (\u9b3c\u4f6c \/ \u4ed4 \/ \u5a46 \/ \u59b9)<\/h3>\n
\"hong
We\u2019ll let you decide whether this term is derogatory or not (Photography: vadimguzhva via Getty Images Pro)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re a Caucasian in Hong Kong, you\u2019ve probably been referred to as one of these gwai<\/em> terms before. Gwai (\u9b3c) is \u201cghost\u201d in Cantonese, while the four common suffixes include lo<\/em> (\u4f6c) for \u201cman\u201d; jai<\/em> (\u4ed4) for \u201cboy\u201d; po<\/em> (\u5a46) for \u201cwoman\u201d; and mui<\/em> (\u59b9) for \u201cgirl\u201d. The most common explanation for this Hong Kong slang is that locals likened the light and pale skin tone of European settlers to the appearance of ghosts, hence the prefix. We\u2019d advise you to take this Hong Kong slang not too seriously!<\/p>\n

3. Haap cho (\u5477\u918b)<\/h3>\n
\"\"
Photography: Unsplash.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Translating to \u201ceat vinegar,\u201d haap cho <\/em>(\u5477\u918b) is a playful expression used to indicate jealousy, particularly in romantic relationships. For instance, if Andrew\u2019s wife is chatting with someone attractive at a party, you might say, \u201cAndrew haap cho<\/em>(\u5477\u918b).\u201d This term reflects the cultural tendency in Cantonese spoken language to use food-related metaphors, making it both relatable and entertaining.<\/p>\n

4. Buddha-style (\u4f5b\u7cfb)<\/h3>\n
\"hong
Striving to be \u201cBuddha-style\u201d is harder than you think (Photography: Jyliana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cBuddha-style\u201d, or fat haai<\/em>, is a prime example of the constantly evolving nature of Hong Kong slang. Despite being a relatively latecomer to the arena, emerging in the late 2010s, you\u2019ll hear \u201cBuddha-style\u201d being exchanged in conversation and social media comment sections. Fat haai<\/em> is usually used as a compliment to describe someone with immensely high emotional control (zen like a Buddha!) when faced with uncertainties and annoyances in life.<\/p>\n

5. Saang gau chaa siu ho gwor saang lei (\u751f\u820a\u53c9\u71d2\u597d\u904e\u751f\u4f60)<\/h3>\n
\"\"
Photography: fatjcharsiuhk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This bold phrase means \u201cit\u2019s better giving birth to a chunk of BBQ pork than giving birth to you\u201d, and is used to convey that someone has deeply disappointed you. It\u2019s a humorous yet cutting remark, often used in familial settings. For example, a frustrated mother might exclaim, \u201cSon, I\u2019ve asked you to clean your room five times already and still nothing! Saang gau chaa siu ho gwor saang lei<\/em> (\u751f\u820a\u53c9\u71d2\u597d\u904e\u751f\u4f60)!\u201d The exaggeration in this slang underscores the dramatic flair often found in Cantonese expressions.<\/p>\n

6. Ga yau (\u52a0\u6cb9)<\/h3>\n
\"hong
This Hong Kong slang takes \u201cbeing low on gas\u201d to the next level (Photography: Naypong via Getty Images Pro)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is arguably the OG Hong Kong slang. Ga yau<\/em>, which directly translates to \u201cadd oil\u201d, is a motivational term commonly used by all Hongkongers. In fact, it\u2019s now widely employed in Mandarin Chinese, too. And if you know your Japanese, this Hong Kong slang is similar to \u9811\u5f35\u3063\u3066 (gan-ba-te). So, now you know what your local friend means when they send you a text that simply reads \u201cadd oil\u201d, followed by the flexed biceps emoji!<\/p>\n

7. Daa kaak(\u6253\u5361)<\/h3>\n
\"\"
Photography: Unsplash.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Literally meaning \u201cto hit card,\u201d daa kaak<\/em>(\u6253\u5361) is a contemporary slang term that refers to the act of clocking in or taking a selfie at a popular spot for social media. It reflects the modern culture of sharing experiences online. For example, someone might say, \u201cThis restaurant is super fancy that we need to daa kaak<\/em>(\u6253\u5361) so people know we were here!\u201d This term encapsulates the rise of social media in everyday life in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

8. Mo la la (\u7121\u5566\u5566)<\/h3>\n
\"hong
Has your laptop ever mo la la shut down mid-task? (Photography: Andrii lemelyanenko Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This Hong Kong slang perfectly captures the phonetic brilliance of Cantonese. Despite being a three-character term, only the first actually holds any meaning on its own. Mo<\/em> means \u201cnothing\u201d in Cantonese. Yet, by adding two meaningless sounds, la la<\/em>, to it, we somehow arrive at a slang that means \u201cout of the blue\u201d. A truly out of the blue<\/em> phenomenon if you ask us.<\/p>\n

9. Hea<\/h3>\n
\"hong
Hea<\/em>-ing around the house is the dream (Photography: Eren Li via Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This Hong Kong slang can mean multiple things, depending on how you use it in a sentence. On its own, hea<\/em> means to laze around, procrastinate, or waste time doing nothing at all. The term carries a slightly negative connotation when used as an adjective. To say someone is ho hea<\/em> (\u597d hea) means they\u2019re unproductive and a lousy worker. However, if you use the term as a verb, hea<\/em> carries a relatively positive connotation. For instance, you\u2019d say to an overworked friend, \u201cit\u2019s time to hea ha<\/em> (hea \u5413)\u201d, which basically translates to \u201cit\u2019s time to relax\u201d.<\/p>\n

10. Siu sei ngor(\u7b11\u6b7b\u6211)<\/h3>\n
\"\"
Photography: Unsplash.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Translating to \u201claugh die me,\u201d siu sei ngor(<\/em>\u7b11\u6b7b\u6211) is a phrase used to describe something that is extremely funny. It\u2019s often employed in casual conversations or social media comments. For instance, if Amy tries to impress a group but ends up falling, someone might say, \u201cLol, siu sei ngor<\/em>(\u7b11\u6b7b\u6211)!\u201d This slang captures the humour and camaraderie among friends, reflecting a light-hearted approach to funny happenings.<\/p>\n

11. Cim Sui (\u6f5b\u6c34)<\/h3>\n
\"hong
We can only hope those people in your life that have cim sui<\/em> are enjoying themselves (Photography: ultramarinfoto via Getty Images Signature)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cim sui<\/em> is Cantonese for \u201cdiving\u201d, but this term carries a secondary meaning when used as slang. To say someone has cim sui<\/em> means they\u2019ve disappeared from their social radar for a while (a close English equivalent is \u201cgoing MIA\u201d). This could be someone too busy to socialise or is simply taking a break to recharge their social battery. While this doesn\u2019t necessarily mean they\u2019ve gone on an underwater adventure in a tropical paradise, it certainly can!<\/p>\n

12. Da tsim (\u6253\u5c16)<\/h3>\n
\"hong
Don\u2019t disrespect the queue when you see one! (Photography: Vinh Dao)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This one is a head-scratcher. While all Hongkongers will know what da tsim<\/em> means, not all of us can tell you where on Earth we pulled the term from. Da<\/em> is \u201cto hit\u201d and tsim<\/em> is \u201ca pointed tip\u201d, yet they come together to mean \u201cto cut the queue\u201d. Our best guess is that someone cutting a queue may try to \u201cbeat\u201d the first person in line (at the \u201ctip\u201d), so as to get to the front of the line themselves.<\/p>\n

13. Fuk (\u4f0f)<\/h3>\n
\"hong
Have you ever felt fuk<\/em> after trying an all-too-expensive restaurant? (Photography: ktsimage via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fuk<\/em> is another relatively recent Hong Kong slang to grace our Urban Dictionary, having begun appearing in daily convo only since the early 2010s. And you\u2019d never guess where this came from. When rickrolling first took over this side of the Internet, the slang zung fuk<\/em> (\u4e2d\u4f0f) was born. Essentially, this Cantonese slang means being trolled or getting misled. For instance, if you went to an overrated restaurant that\u2019s too expensive for what it\u2019s worth, you\u2019d say you have zung fuk<\/em> (verb), or the restaurant itself was fuk<\/em> (adjective).<\/p>\n

14. Man cing (\u6587\u9752)<\/h3>\n
\"hong
Say what you want about man cing<\/em> culture, we think it\u2019s kinda neat (Photography: nicolamargaret via Getty Images Signature)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Man cing<\/em> is a gender-neutral term that roughly translates to \u201cliterati\u201d or \u201cyoung intellect\u201d, and is often interpreted as the equivalent of the Asian hipster . The term was popularised in Taiwan and gained traction in Hong Kong in the late 2000s. The stereotypical man cing<\/em> individual enjoys going to artistic events, loves photography, spends vast amounts of time at cafes, styles themselves in neutral-coloured linen wear, and likes to read. However, there are disputes within this group of individuals. Those who believe they are genuinely man cing usually scorn at those who only pose on social media as a modern intellectual \u2013 sitting in a coffee shop, wearing linen, and holding a book they never actually read. These \u201cfake\u201d man cing are referred to as ngai man cing<\/em> (\u507d\u6587\u9752).<\/p>\n

15. Caau yau yu (\u7092\u9b77\u9b5a)<\/h3>\n
\"hong
If only being caau yau yu feels as good as eating calamari\u2026 (Photography: Mykola Lunov)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While caau yau yu<\/em> (pronounced like \u201cchow yau yuu\u201d) directly translates to \u201cfried squid\u201d, this Hong Kong slang has nothing to do with food. In fact, it means \u201cbeing fired\u201d and has the same energy as the English word \u201csack\u201d. In the past, labourers were often offered housing and catering as part of their employment deal. So, when they were fired, they\u2019d have to roll up their duvet and personal belongings, like you\u2019d roll up a dried squid sheet when making this iconic Hong Kong snack<\/a>, hence the slang.<\/p>\n

16. Sao pei (\u6536\u76ae)<\/h3>\n
\"hong
Did you know \u2013 Hongkongers are infamous for swearing without using swear words? (Photography: Vlada Karpovich via corelens)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now we\u2019re venturing into potty mouth territory. Sau pei<\/em> directly translates to \u201ccollect skin\u201d and means \u201cshut the f*** up\u201d. However, you can convey different levels of aggression depending on how you use this Hong Kong slang. For instance, a casual sau pei la nei<\/em> (\u6536\u76ae\u5566\u4f60) being thrown out when your friend voices an incredulous thought is usually interpreted as playful rather than aggressive \u2013 think of it as killing their vibe. That being said, the same phrase used in a heated argument could escalate the situation faster than you think, so use it with caution!<\/p>\n

17. Fong sim (\u653e\u9583)<\/h3>\n
\"hong
Does this Hong Kong slang make you think twice about PDA? (Photography: Caiaimage\/Tom Merton via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This one\u2019s a thinker. Despite translating as \u201copen flashes\u201d or \u201cletting our flashes\u201d, fong sim<\/em> refers to couples who overly display their relationship in public and online. For instance, if a couple posts a picture of them kissing on Instagram, it might attract comments saying they\u2019re fong sim<\/em>. In other words, bombarding the rest of the world with the shine and sparkle of their love.<\/p>\n

18. MK<\/h3>\n
\"hong
The Hong Kong classic film series Young and Dangerous<\/em> is said to have influenced MK culture (Photography: IMDB)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MK is an abbreviation of Mong Kok, as well as the subculture that has evolved from the busy neighbourhood. Originating in the 90s and 2000s during Hong Kong\u2019s J-pop craze, Mong Kok was the go-to area for local high school students to meet with friends, eat, and shop for cheap and fashionable merch. The stereotypical \u201cMK jai<\/em>\u201d or \u201cMK mui<\/em>\u201d wears a mixture of bold (and often clashing) streetwear, has dyed blonde hair, and dons punk silver jewellery. Despite its common usage up until the early 2000s, MK is now considered a somewhat old-fashioned slang and is only used by locals when describing things or people that are trashy and outdated.<\/p>\n

[This article was originally published in March 2018 and updated in 2024 by Celia Lee.]<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Behind the endless bright city lights, the abundant towering buildings, and the surreal Blade Runner-esque landscape of Hong Kong lies many niche destinations including independent local bookstores, anime wonderlands, and underground tattoo parlours. We\u2019ve curated some of the most commonly used Hong Kong slang in our very own Urban Dictionary to help you understand a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":107607,"featured_media":206871,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[18024,9],"tags":[31147],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHong Kong slang 101: Talk the talk in the 852 | Honeycombers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Gone diving? Going Buddha-style? Learn more about local culture with our curated Urban Dictionary on Hong Kong slang.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/hong-kong-slang-urban-dictionary\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Hong Kong slang 101: Common culture terms that make up the unique lingo in the 852\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Behind the endless bright city lights, the abundant towering buildings, and the surreal Blade Runner-esque landscape of Hong Kong lies many niche\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/hong-kong-slang-urban-dictionary\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Honeycombers Hong Kong\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/honeycombershongkong\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-09-02T02:00:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-02T02:26:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2021\/06\/hong-kong-slang-lead-image.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Celia Lee\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@honeycombershk\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@honeycombershk\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Celia Lee\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/hong-kong-slang-urban-dictionary\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/hong-kong-slang-urban-dictionary\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Celia Lee\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/#\/schema\/person\/275279f18145f9a82224661f8a900689\"},\"headline\":\"Hong Kong slang 101: Common culture terms that make up the unique lingo in the 852\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-09-02T02:00:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-02T02:26:02+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/hong-kong-slang-urban-dictionary\/\"},\"wordCount\":2174,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/hong-kong-slang-urban-dictionary\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2021\/06\/hong-kong-slang-lead-image.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Hong Kong culture\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Local Buzz\",\"Things To Do\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/hong-kong-slang-urban-dictionary\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/hong-kong-slang-urban-dictionary\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/hong-kong-slang-urban-dictionary\/\",\"name\":\"Hong Kong slang 101: Talk the talk in the 852 | Honeycombers\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/hong-kong-slang-urban-dictionary\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/hong-kong\/hong-kong-slang-urban-dictionary\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/static.thehoneycombers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2021\/06\/hong-kong-slang-lead-image.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-09-02T02:00:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-02T02:26:02+00:00\",\"description\":\"Gone diving? 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