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Hongkabulary Part 2: Words you Must Know When Visiting Hong Kong

Hongkabulary Hong Kong

They say Hong Kong is the City of the World.

Whoever first coined that word, tells that truth. And I may add that Hong Kong like any other neighboring country is the most interesting place I’ve been.

It’s like every day there is something new, something exciting and totally not boring.

I remember my first visit to Hong Kong circa 2003, and I’m telling you I was one of the happiest ladies, ad a kid-at-heart. Hahaha silly me but true.

Well even now (which I can’t remember how much I fly back and forth in Hong Kong) I’m still that lady who has that wide smile on her face each time I step in Hong Kong.

So whenever I travel, I always make sure that I learned something to at least make myself feel at the home of the place. One of my favorite things to learn in Hong Kong’s urban language which they called the Hongkabulary. I did share my initial Hongkabulary post here, and I read lots of good responses from my readers. So why not share another part!

Check out the Part 2 of our Hongkabulary!

Language Lun-ing, hongkabulary

Language Lun-ing

Learning Cantonese swear words from minibus drivers and market workers.

"Ai ya, the government right now is so '7-head'..."
"Ah, you've been language lun-ing, I see."


Yeah, sometimes I heard and learned lots of odd words from local drivers or some people working in the market. They are very creative in creating their own terms, that if you won’t open for it you might feel a bit awkward. Hahaha happens to me all the time.

Red Peril, hongkabulary

Red Peril

The terror of flagging down a red minibus because their drivers are drag racing maniacs and you don't know how to get off.

"Look, do you want to get from Mong Kok to Tai Po in 15 minutes or not!"
"I'm just going to take the MTR. I can't handle the Red Peril today."


I don’t know about you, but the streets are not a car-racing field. I hate arrogant drivers. I find these drivers don’t care about their life.

Hong Kong travel
Busy night Lady’s Market at Hong Kong where you can buy amazing cheap stuff!
Gweilingo, hongkabulary

Gweilingo

Being inordinately impressed by a westerner speaking passable Cantonese.

"Waaahhh! His Cantonese is so good!"
"He only ordered a plate of fried rice. This is classic Gweilingo."


Yeah, I think Gweilingo happens in all parts of the world. Whenever there is a guest in-town and we heard that he can speak the local language (well at least he can say “Thank you” “You’re welcome” or “Please”) makes us amazed, and I personally appreciate that. It means the guest is trying to be acquainted with the place and the people, which is beautiful!

LegComedown, hongkabulary


LegComedown


The elation of electing new voices to Legco, which soon subsides into the reality that not much will change.

"Don't talk to me. I'm on a really bad LegComedown right now."

Hong Kong travel
Free film showing at Nursery Park, West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong


Umbrella Condom, hongkabulary

Umbrella Condom


The transparent plastic umbrella covers malls give out, which clog up the city because you throw them away immediately.

"Tonight's your lucky night. Hope you have an umbrella condom."
"I was just gonna drip all over the floor."

Okay, this might be disgusting, but the description is based on the observation of the way we treat a condom. Some of the malls in Hong Kong offer free transparent umbrellas to valued customers. These umbrellas are relatively cheap, hence it is okay to just throw them away after using them. You may get it less than a dollar anywhere. Actually, condoms are a bit expensive than umbrellas, LOL

Poke-man Go, hongkabulary

Poke-man Go


Getting jabbed in the eye by an umbrella because no one is looking where they're going in a downpour.

"Why are you bleeding from the eyeball?"
"It's been raining: Lots of Poke-man Go players out there at the moment."

When Pokemon Go went live 2-months ago here in Manila, people are gone crazy! They actively went outside and tag their friends to catch these little monsters. Unfortunately, as of this writing the Pokemon craze in Manila has gone slow down fast.

LOL.

Glad I didn’t download it. I already find it not fulfilling… just a fucking waste of time. But I appreciate the craze – people suddenly got curious and that is a good thing in the marketing and social media business.

Hong Kong travel
One rainy night in Hong Kong.


Moonfake, hongkabulary

Moonfake

The curious concoctions and recipes were squeezed into Mid-Autumn packaging and sold as mooncakes.

"Now available: matcha mochi mooncakes with durian custard!"
"Whadda moonfake."


Some traditional people may call it fakes because of the new flavors that emerged. But trust me, Moonfake sometimes isn’t bad.

Morning Swim, hongkabulary

Morning Swim


Getting drenched on your morning commute, because of sweat or rain. Or both.

"Want to go to South Bay this weekend?"
"No thanks. I've been having my morning swim every day for the last three months."

When you live in the city and enjoying that 35degree Celsius kind of heat, then most definitely you’ll experience being in a morning swim, especially if you are a person who sweats easily. My advice – always bring an extra shirt with you!

Morning swim is the worst case of drench dye.

Hong Kong travel
The Cat Street Market is one of Hong Kong’s oldest areas. Here you’ll find antique furniture and local handicrafts.

Typhoon Late, hongkabulary

Typhoon Late


When a Typhoon 8 signal is raised just slightly too late in the day for you to get off work early.

"They made it number 8 at 5.59pm. It's a typical typhoon late."

Yeah always, and always happens and it’s kind of annoying. Sometimes I don’t understand why they announce it very late, and the people are already at work and students at school.

Pokemon Ghost, hongkabulary

Pokemon Ghost


Disappearing from your entire social life because you've discovered Pokemon Go and catching them all is more important than friendship.

"How's Kelvin!"
"No idea. He's Pokemon Ghosted on me. I don't even know if we're still engaged."

Hahahaha for those who are currently experiencing being ghosted. Better down the app too and play along with your BAE or dumped him.






Did you enjoy Part 2 of our Hongkabulary? If you know some Hongkabulary words, feel free to share them here!





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    59 comments :

    1. I frankly enjoyed your post a lot! The pictures are also incredible (I couldn't resist to pin a few of them!) and the cartoons terrific!

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      1. Thank you dear! I feel very humbled. These are more funny when you use in conversation.

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    2. How cool!

      I'd love to check out those markets. I imagine I'd find all sorts of neat things.

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      1. I'm telling you its like treasure hunting! And its cheap :)

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    3. so busy... but i'd like to go! specially Free film showing at Nursery Park!

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      1. They think Hong Kong is expensive but if you live in a simple life, Hong Kong is cheap! Just like this FREE film showing like every night!

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    4. Thanks for sharing the Hongkabulary - gonna need it soon.

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    5. You article is funny and informative at the same time! I didn't know Hongkabulary was a thing before reading your piece. I think my favorite is Pokemon Ghost, it's so funny and accurate!

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      1. Hahaha thank you and I'm glad readers appreciate these little things :D

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    6. I never got into Pokémon-Go! I downloaded it and tried it out and wasn't interested. Guess I won't be Pokémon ghosting anyone! Hahaha :)

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      1. LOL me too! I never download it because I'm concern about the space it will consume on my phone, also the distraction. I'm glad I didn't coz my friends are very disappointed after playing Pokémon-Go.

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    7. This is such a funny list!!! I especially loved the cute drawings well representing each word!

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    8. I really enjoyed your post. I loved the pictures that you posted!!!

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      1. Thank you very much Janette, my heart is applauding!

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    9. This is incredibly helpful! I wish I had read this before my trip in 2013! Now at least should I return, I will know :)

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      1. And I will share more Hongkabulary here! Thank you for reading :)

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    10. Loved that red pic in the rainy night. So pretty.

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    11. Love the cartoons. I agree, the markets do sound like fun.

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      1. Hello Jemma,

        It is so fun! And their goods are very cheap. I also enjoy visiting their flower market, and the birds market during Sundays, and it is therapeutic. :)

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    12. Your post made me smile! Never heard about Hongkabulary but it sounds hilarious!

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      1. Hello Ana,

        I am very glad that this post entertained you well. Please share this to your friends!

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    13. I have clients visiting a hotel conference in Hong Kong this weekend. I'm looking forward to hearing their stories and seeing their photos!

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      1. They might also surprise when you share this to them :D

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    14. This is such a funny post. The typhoon late one is my favorite!

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    15. This is awesome! They're really creative with their language. My favorite has to be Poke-man go. I can just imagine that in the rain, with those crowds, there's a lot of Poke-man going on.

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      1. Yeah, however recently Pokémon-Go is starting to fade here in Hong Kong and Philippines. Players are now bored.

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    16. Hong Kong looks like such a fun place to visit! I love your personal dictionary of terms and what they mean. Hong Kong to you is what Miami is to me! Feel's like home even tho its not! But in the heart it is. <3

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    17. This is the first time I'm hearing about hongkabulary. These cartoon pics are so funny!

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      1. Thank you Roxy, I'm glad that we entertained you! Share it to your friends!

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    18. Such a fun post
      The moon cake I want to try.I didn't download pokemon.It was obsessive

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    19. This series is seriously my favourite! I always chuckle reading this! I can't wait for part 3!!

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      1. Hello Carmy,

        Yeah, Part 3 is coming soon! Thank you :D

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    20. This is such a fun read truly. I remember how crazy we went for Pokemon go. It was insane. Hehe

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      1. Yeah, sadly I think Pokémon Go have bid goodbye here in Manila.

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      2. Read your first post and loved it so this was very funny.Love that the locals have a great sense of humour.Luckily Pokemon is not big I have not gotten into it at all.

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      3. Players got so bored with Pokémon Go - they said its not challenging anymore, and they just realized it stupid. LOL

        Thanks for visiting, Spice Goddess!

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    21. I've never been to Hong Kong. I just saw a Hong Kong film. But in your picture I saw the place was very crowded. What is there really so much fun? I see a lot of tall buildings. I think at night scenery there is very beautiful.

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      1. Hello,

        Hong Kong is a very interesting place having a very diverse cultures. At night time, it seems like the city never sleeps. I tried to go out at 2AM because I couldn't sleep, and I thought there are few people outside my hotel. Turns out I was wrong, lol.

        But the beauty of the city is very breathtaking when you go up the hills, and enjoy the view below. People are nice (but not all) I like the locals especially the people in the market and the Aunties, in which I always got huge discounts.

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    22. Reading this post was a lot of fun. I was wondering how you got all those illustrations, though. Very interesting addition, that!

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      1. Hello Punita,

        I got a help from a local friend from Hong Kong. I met him during my first trip in 2013 and he told me these crazy things, lol. He is a graphic designer.

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    23. So I guess that when I visited Hong Kong I had morning swims myself. I remember how humid the weather was and what a nightmare it was to carry by backpack from the hotel to the train station, about a 20 minutes. It was a really fun read to learn a bit of the Hong Kong slang.

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      1. Hello Joanna,

        Yeah it was really tiring to carry your backpack around (especially if you are a backpacker) plus the crowd! But that adds the interesting part of Hong Kong... Have you tried their delicacies? They are divine at the fraction of costs!

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    24. Such an intriguing post! I think it's crucial to know basic lingo of a destination. I was shocked when I moved to Australia where even though they speak English, I had a lot to learn!

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      1. Hello Shane,

        Yeah, sometimes I can't understand my Aussie friend though I know she is speaking English... it's just that sometimes the sounds varies.

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    25. That was so funny. And the pictures were so apt too. Enjoyed reading this one and even getting an insight into the funnier side of HongKong

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      1. Some thinks Hong Kong are a very serious place, which is not. You'll be surprised with their sense of humor.

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    26. This is awesome!! It's a great idea and and even better post, absolutely loved reading and rather it's going to be useful as I will be in Hongkong in December.

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      1. Hello Aditi!

        Wow, Hong Kong during December is amazingly beautiful! I remember I enjoyed my December trip last year, and go nuts with lots of free attractions, exhibitions, and cheap foods!

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    27. This is so interesting, loved the comics you added! Gweilingo is definitely a phenomenon we see often, now there is a nice word to describe it! :D Umbrella condom had me in splits! thanks for sharing :)

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      1. Yeah umbrella condom sounds weird, lol. I can't even use that word.

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    28. haha everybody was so obsessed by Pokemon Go, including me but I think I stopped playing after a few days. Great and interesting read by the way!

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      1. How's your Pokémon Go experience? Have you caught all those little monsters?

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