Electronics

1. 手提電話

   sau2 tai4 din6 waa2

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   Usually shortened to "sau2 tai4" in Hong Kong. The Mandarin "shǒujī" is understood too

2. 平板電腦

   ping4 baan2 din6 nou5

   Tablet

   Usage

   In speech "ping4 baan2" alone is enough

3. 手提電腦

   sau2 tai4 din6 nou5

   Laptop

   Usage

   Many Hongkongers just say "laptop". Security will ask you to take it out of your bag

4. 充電器

   cung1 din6 hei3

   Charger

   Usage

   Hong Kong runs on 220V with UK-style three-pin plugs. Japanese devices need an adapter

5. 充電線

   cung1 din6 sin3

   Charging cable

   Usage

   Sold in Sham Shui Po's electronics streets and corner shops. Showing the actual connector is faster than explaining

6. 尿袋

   niu6 doi2

   Power bank

   Usage

   The established Hong Kong nickname — shops understand it — from the look of the dangling cable. Formally "ngoi6 zi3 din6 ci4". It must never go in checked luggage

7. 轉換插頭

   zyun2 wun6 caap3 tau4

   Plug adapter

   Usage

   Essential for Japanese devices, since Hong Kong uses UK three-pin sockets. Hotels usually lend them

8. 插蘇

   caap3 sou1

   Power socket

   Usage

   A distinctly Cantonese word. "Bin1 dou6 jau5 caap3 sou1" asks where the socket is

9. 電池

   din6 ci4

   Battery

   Usage

   Sizes are named in English (AA, AAA) in Hong Kong. Showing the old battery is the safest way to ask

10. 無線網絡

    mou4 sin3 mong5 lok3

    Wi-Fi

    Usage

    In speech, just saying "WiFi" is quicker. Hong Kong has wide free government coverage under "Wi-Fi.HK"

11. 無線網絡密碼

    mou4 sin3 mong5 lok3 mat6 maa5

    Wi-Fi password

    Usage

    Show it in a cha chaan teng or café and staff will point at the receipt or write it down

12. 電話卡

    din6 waa2 kaat1

    SIM card

    Usage

    Prepaid cards are sold in convenience stores. Real-name registration is required, so bring your passport

13. 記憶卡

    gei3 jik1 kaat1

    Memory card

    Usage

    Sold in Mong Kok's computer centres and Sham Shui Po. Show it with the capacity you need

14. 耳機

    ji5 gei1

    Earphones

    Usage

    On the MTR, using earphones rather than a speaker is expected

15. 喇叭

    laa3 baa1

    Speaker

    Usage

    A Bluetooth speaker is "laam4 ngaa4 laa3 baa1"

16. 相機

    soeng2 gei1

    Camera

    Usage

    "Ho2 m4 ho2 ji5 jing2 soeng2" asks whether you may take a photo

17. 電筒

    din6 tung2

    Flashlight

    Usage

    Needed for night hikes and blackouts. The phone torch goes by the same word

18. 冷氣

    laang5 hei3

    Air conditioning

    Usage

    Hong Kong air conditioning is fierce. "Laang5 hei3 taai3 dung3" — it is too cold — comes up constantly in shops and buses

19. 遙控

    jiu4 hung3

    Remote control

    Usage

    Show it at the front desk when you cannot find the air-con or TV remote

20. 風扇

    fung1 sin3

    Electric fan

    Usage

    Budget guesthouses without air-con will often lend one

21. 雪櫃

    syut3 gwai6

    Refrigerator

    Usage

    Cantonese says "syut3 gwai6", not the Mandarin "bīngxiāng". Also for asking to store medicine

22. 電視

    din6 si6

    Television

    Usage

    Show it at the front desk when the set will not turn on

23. 微波爐

    mei4 bo1 lou4

    Microwave

    Usage

    Show it to have a lunchbox heated at a convenience store. "Ding1 jat1 ding1" is the colloquial "give it a zap"

24. 電水煲

    din6 seoi2 bou1

    Electric kettle

    Usage

    "Bou1" is the Cantonese word for a pot or to simmer. Found in nearly every room

25. 洗衣機

    sai2 ji1 gei1

    Washing machine

    Usage

    In Hong Kong, dropping laundry at a shop that charges by weight is often cheaper

26. 風筒

    fung1 tung2

    Hair dryer

    Usage

    Cantonese says "fung1 tung2", not the Mandarin "chuīfēngjī". Ask the front desk if there is none in the room

27. 熱水爐

    jit6 seoi2 lou4

    Water heater

    Usage

    In older buildings you must switch it on and wait. Pair it with "mou5 jit6 seoi2" — there is no hot water

Browse all TravelPhrases languages