Electronics

1. Cellphone

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   In the Philippines it is simply "cellphone", sometimes spelled "selpon". A landline is "telepono"

2. Tablet

   Usage

   Used as-is. You may be asked to take it out at airport security

3. Laptop

   Usage

   Use it when asking whether you can work in a cafe. Manila and Cebu have plenty of coworking spaces

4. Kompyuter

   Computer

   Usage

   The Filipinised spelling; writing "computer" works too. What you need at an internet cafe

5. Charger

   Usage

   The English word, as in the noun cards. "Pwede bang magcharge dito?" asks whether you can charge here

6. Cable ng charger

   Charging cable

   Usage

   Show the connector type (Type-C or Lightning) along with the word

7. Powerbank

   Power bank

   Usage

   Essential where brownouts happen. It must go in your carry-on, never in checked baggage

8. Adapter

   Plug adapter

   Usage

   The Philippines runs 220V but uses the same flat two-pin plugs as Japan and North America. The shape fits, the voltage does not — check your device

9. Saksakan

   Power outlet

   Usage

   Built from the verb "saksak" (to plug in). In speech "outlet" is just as common

10. Extension cord

    Usage

    Rooms here often have few outlets, none near the bed. Use it to ask the front desk whether you can borrow one

11. Baterya

    Battery

    Usage

    From Spanish "batería". "Lowbat", from English "low battery", is a distinctly Filipino coinage

12. WiFi

    Wi-Fi

    Usage

    "May WiFi ba dito?" asks whether there is Wi-Fi here — the same spelling as in the internet cards

13. Password ng WiFi

    Wi-Fi password

    Usage

    Show it and staff will write it down. The particle "ng" marks possession and is pronounced "nang"

14. SIM card

    Usage

    Bought at the airport or a phone shop, with mandatory registration. Topping up is called "load" and is sold at shops and stalls everywhere

15. Memory card

    Usage

    For buying an SD card for your camera; "SD card" works too

16. Earphones

    Usage

    Used as-is; "headset" is understood too

17. Speaker

    Usage

    Used as-is. Big karaoke speakers are a fixture of Philippine streets, so the word also helps when explaining that your room is too noisy

18. Kamera

    Camera

    Usage

    Used when checking whether photography is allowed at a church or museum

19. Flashlight

    Usage

    Needed for brownouts and cave trips. The English word works

20. Aircon

    Air conditioner

    Usage

    Always "aircon" here. Room prices hinge on whether it is an "aircon room" or a "fan room"

21. Remote

    Remote control

    Usage

    Used as-is. Show it at the front desk when the air-con or TV remote is missing

22. Bentilador

    Electric fan

    Usage

    From Spanish "ventilador"; in speech "electric fan" is just as common

23. Ref

    Refrigerator

    Usage

    Filipinos shorten "refrigerator" to "ref" as standard. A "ref magnet" is the classic souvenir

24. TV

    Television

    Usage

    Simply "TV", though it is sometimes written the Filipino way as "telebisyon"

25. Microwave

    Usage

    The English word works. Useful when asking a convenience store to heat something up

26. Electric kettle

    Usage

    For boiling water in your room. The English term works

27. Washing machine

    Usage

    Ask whether your lodging has one. A laundry service is a "laundry shop", and the person who does the washing is a "labandera"

28. Water heater

    Usage

    Budget rooms often have only cold water — use it to check whether "mainit na tubig" (hot water) is available

29. Plantsa

    Iron

    Usage

    From Spanish "plancha" — for borrowing an iron at your lodging

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