Electronics

1. موبائل فون

   mobile phone

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   In speech it is usually shortened to just "mobile"

2. اسمارٹ فون

   smartphone

   Smartphone

   Usage

   For talking about models or at a repair shop. In daily talk "mobile" is enough

3. ٹیبلٹ

   tablet

   Tablet

   Usage

   The word you hear at airport security. The same word also means a medicinal tablet, so context decides

4. لیپ ٹاپ

   laptop

   Laptop

   Usage

   For asking a cafe whether you may use a socket, or whether it fits the guesthouse safe

5. چارجر

   chaarjar

   Charger

   Usage

   The classic thing to leave behind. Reception can often lend one — show the word and ask

6. چارجنگ کیبل

   charging cable

   Charging cable

   Usage

   Sold at phone shops and street stalls. Show the connector shape to be sure of the type

7. پاور بینک

   power bank

   Power bank

   Usage

   A necessity where power cuts are routine. The English term is used as-is

8. اڈاپٹر

   adaptar

   Plug adapter

   Usage

   Pakistan uses both round two-pin and three-pin sockets, at 230V / 50Hz

9. ساکٹ

   socket

   Power outlet

   Usage

   "Socket kahaan hai?" means "where is the power outlet?"

10. بیٹری

    battery

    Battery

    Usage

    Covers built-in batteries and dry cells alike; a dry cell is sometimes called "cell"

11. وائی فائی

    wi-fi

    Wi-Fi

    Usage

    The first thing to check at a guesthouse or cafe. It dies with every power cut, so keep mobile data as a backup

12. وائی فائی کا پاسورڈ

    wi-fi ka password

    Wi-Fi password

    Usage

    Show it at the counter and they will write it down. Check which letters are capitals

13. سم کارڈ

    sim card

    SIM card

    Usage

    Buying one as a visitor needs your passport and a fingerprint registration — use an official outlet

14. میموری کارڈ

    memory card

    Memory card

    Usage

    For the camera shop. Write the capacity as a figure to avoid confusion

15. ہینڈز فری

    hands free

    Earphones

    Usage

    In Pakistan earphones are normally called "hands free" — asking for that gets you further in a shop than "earphones"

16. کیمرہ

    kaimra

    Camera

    Usage

    Photography is banned near military sites, airports and borders. Always ask whether the camera is allowed first

17. ٹارچ

    torch

    Flashlight

    Usage

    Essential where cuts are frequent. Reception can often lend one

18. ایئر کنڈیشنر

    air conditioner

    Air conditioner

    Usage

    Almost always shortened to "AC" in speech, and it is also the name of a class of room, train coach and bus

19. ریموٹ

    remote

    Remote control

    Usage

    Show it at reception when the room has no remote for the AC or the TV

20. پنکھا

    pankha

    Electric fan

    Usage

    One of the few appliances with a native Urdu name. Usually a ceiling fan, with speed set by a wall dial

21. فریج

    fridge

    Refrigerator

    Usage

    For asking whether a room has one — worth checking if you need to keep medicine cold

22. ٹی وی

    TV

    TV

    Usage

    For checking room facilities. The fuller "television" sounds stiff

23. مائیکرو ویو

    microwave

    Microwave

    Usage

    Use it to ask for something to be reheated in a shared guesthouse kitchen

24. الیکٹرک کیتلی

    electric kettle

    Electric kettle

    Usage

    For asking whether the room can boil water — also handy if you want to brew your own chai

25. واشنگ مشین

    washing machine

    Washing machine

    Usage

    Self-service laundries are rare — laundry is usually given to a "dhobi", the local washerman

26. گیزر

    geyser

    Water heater

    Usage

    The bathroom water heater, often gas-fired and sometimes needing to be lit before use. No hot water usually means this is off

27. یو پی ایس

    UPS

    Battery backup unit

    Usage

    The household battery that keeps lights and fans alive for a few hours in a cut. Asking whether a guesthouse has one tells you how it copes

28. جنریٹر

    generator

    Generator

    Usage

    The fuel generator guesthouses and shops keep for long cuts. It can run the AC, so in summer its presence decides your comfort

29. لوڈ شیڈنگ

    load shedding

    Scheduled power cut

    Usage

    The rolling outages applied area by area on a timetable. Show the word at your guesthouse to ask when today's cut falls

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