Electronics

1. Selpon

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   The Philippine spelling of "cellphone". Writing "cellphone" works just as well

2. Tablet

   Usage

   Same as English. Note that a medicine pill is also a "tablet", so be clear at the pharmacy

3. Laptop

   Usage

   To ask about power in a cafe: "Pwede ko mo-charge sa akong laptop?"

4. Charger

   Usage

   The verb is "mag-charge". To borrow one at a guesthouse: "Naa moy charger?"

5. Kable sa charger

   Charging cable

   Usage

   Sold at any mall phone shop. Show the connector shape (Type-C or Lightning) to be understood

6. Powerbank

   Power bank

   Usage

   Essential where brownouts are common. It cannot go in checked baggage on domestic flights — keep it in your carry-on

7. Adaptor

   Plug adapter

   Usage

   The Philippines runs 220V at 60Hz with mostly flat two-pin (type A) sockets. Japanese plugs fit, but the voltage does not

8. Saksakan

   Power outlet

   Usage

   From the verb "saksak" (to plug in). "Asa ang saksakan?" means "where is the outlet?"

9. Extension

   Extension cord

   Usage

   Cheap rooms often have a single socket. Use it to ask the front desk if you can borrow one

10. Baterya

    Battery

    Usage

    Covers both dry cells and built-in batteries. "Ubos na ang baterya" means "the battery is dead"

11. WiFi

    Wi-Fi

    Usage

    "Adunay ba WiFi diri?" means "is there Wi-Fi here?" On the small islands it is often unreliable

12. Password sa WiFi

    Wi-Fi password

    Usage

    "Unsa ang password sa WiFi?" asks for it. Having them write it down is safest

13. SIM card

    Usage

    Globe and Smart are the two big networks. You must register the SIM with your passport when you buy it

14. Load

    Prepaid load

    Usage

    Prepaid airtime. At any corner sari-sari store, say "Pa-load ko" and they will top you up

15. SD card

    Usage

    The camera memory card. "Memory card" is understood too

16. Earphone

    Earphones

    Usage

    For long bus and ferry rides. Sold in malls and airport shops

17. Kamera

    Camera

    Usage

    To ask someone to take your photo: "Palihug, kuhaan ko og litrato"

18. Flashlight

    Usage

    A must, since power cuts are frequent — and needed on cave tours and unlit country roads

19. Aircon

    Air conditioner

    Usage

    Always shortened to "aircon" here. It is the key word when asking about room and bus classes

20. Remote

    Remote control

    Usage

    For the aircon or TV. "Asa ang remote?" means "where is the remote?"

21. Bentilador

    Electric fan

    Usage

    From Spanish "ventilador". A "fan room" is the cheaper room with no aircon

22. Ref

    Refrigerator

    Usage

    Filipinos shorten "refrigerator" to "ref". "Naa bay ref sa kwarto?" asks if the room has one

23. TV

    Television

    Usage

    Just "TV" as in English — used when checking what a room includes

24. Microwave

    Usage

    To ask them to reheat something: "Pwede ba i-microwave?"

25. Washing machine

    Usage

    In Cebu most people use a per-kilo laundry shop (labhanan). Use this to ask whether the place has a machine

26. Kuryente

    Electricity

    Usage

    From Spanish "corriente". "Walay kuryente" means "there is no power"

27. Brownout

    Power outage

    Usage

    Philippine English for a power cut — they say brownout, not blackout. Routine after typhoons and on small islands

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