Hong Kong Slang Words You Should Know When You Visit the Island

Learn Hongkabulary: Hong Kong's Urban Language

We all know that Hong Kong is Asia's World City having a wide diversity of people having different cultures, races, and traditions. But what makes these Hongkies (as they are called) similar?

They know the Hongkies vocabulary, also called Hongkabulary (or Hong Kong's version of the urban dictionary).

Check below our selected Hongkabulary with illustrations, for easy understanding. We pretty sure you'll enjoy it coz it's really FUN!

7-Eleven Shower

Running out for a quick errand and getting caught in a sudden torrential 5-minute downpour.

"I went out for a pack of cigarettes and ended up taking a 7-Eleven shower."
"See? Told you smoking was bad for you."

****

Beer Crawl

Swimming stroke used on junk trips which keeps your can of beer above head height to prevent seawater incursions.

"Careful with your Tsingtao! You'll set sea in it."
"Don't worry, I have an Olympic gold in the 20m beer crawl. Or I would have, if I hadn't been drunk."

****

Central Castaway

Someone who rolls out of LKF at 3am and misses the last ferry of the night to their outlying island.

"I got locked inside a toilet cubicle in IFC and missed my ferry. Now I'm a Central Castaway."

****

Drench Dye

Sweating so much that your shirt turns two shades darker.

"I really love your red tee."
"It's actually pink. This is just a drench dye."

****

Hong Kong crop top

Flipping your T-shirt up and tucking it under your armpits to deal with the oppressive humidity.

"It may be hot out there, but Ah Lok is beating the heat with this vintage Hong Kong crop top look. He's as at home in the middle of IFC as he is on the runway."

****

Emigration Anxiety

Refusing to commit to a relationship because you are planning to leave Hong Kong within the next year.

"I was really into her, but she got serious emigration anxiety so it never worked out."

****

Fish Flops

Walking through a wet market in sandals.

"Ugh. I was wearing fish flops and now I've got pig blood and carp intestines all over my legs."
"That's hot."

****

SoHo Recall

Going back to SoHo after three months and not recognizing a single bar or restaurant.

"What happened to Egin Street? Why is it totally different?"
"That's SoHo recall, Mr. Quaid."

****

Tsui Wah Test

Taking the person you met clubbing to Tasui Wah before you take them home, so you can check them out under the harsh flourescent light.

"Hey you disappeared last night! Did you get lucky?
"I thought I would, until he failed the Tasui Wah Test."

****

Lai Seeker

The grumpy security guard who suddenly becomes the embodiment of charm and helpfulness two weeks before Chinese New Year in hopes of an increased lai see haul.

"Did he just call the lift and carry the shopping for you? You get such great service in your building!"

"Don't be fooled. He's just a lai seeker."

****

Hotpot Despot

A person who has a very specific way of doing hotpot, and will yell at or refuse to eat with people who don't understand the hotpot code of conduct.

"Waft the beef, you imbecile! Don't dump it all in at once!"
"You are such a hotpot despot."

Walkup Workout

Going to a rooftop party in a walkup, so you arrive sweaty and panting heavily.

"Thanks so much for coming!"
"I'd come over more if it wasn't such a walkup workout every time. Where's the beer?"

****

Winston's Third Law

When two people staring at their phones collide and go flying in opposite directions.

"Ow! Why don't you look where you're going? You ruined my game of Candy Crush!"
"It's Winston's Third Law: For every smartphone, there is an equal and opposite smartphone."

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