Electronics

1. 手机

   Shǒujī

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   Show it at a repair shop or SIM counter. In China your phone is also your wallet and ticket, so losing it is urgent

2. 平板电脑

   Píngbǎn diànnǎo

   Tablet

   Usage

   In speech "píngbǎn" alone is enough

3. 笔记本电脑

   Bǐjìběn diànnǎo

   Laptop

   Usage

   Shortened to "bǐjìběn". Security will ask you to take it out of your bag

4. 充电器

   Chōngdiànqì

   Charger

   Usage

   Show it at the front desk when you need to borrow one. China runs on 220V with mostly type A and I plugs

5. 充电线

   Chōngdiànxiàn

   Charging cable

   Usage

   Sold in convenience stores. Showing the actual connector is faster than explaining Type-C or Lightning

6. 充电宝

   Chōngdiànbǎo

   Power bank

   Usage

   Rental units ("gòngxiǎng chōngdiànbǎo") sit in stations and cafés. It must never go in checked luggage

7. 转换插头

   Zhuǎnhuàn chātóu

   Plug adapter

   Usage

   Japanese type-A plugs usually fit, but three-pin devices need an adapter. Hotels often lend them

8. 插座

   Chāzuò

   Power socket

   Usage

   Show it to ask "chāzuò zài nǎlǐ" — where is the socket? — in a café or on a train

9. 电池

   Diànchí

   Battery

   Usage

   AA is "wǔ hào diànchí" and AAA is "qī hào diànchí" — using the number is the reliable way to ask

10. 无线网

    Wúxiànwǎng

    Wi-Fi

    Usage

    Saying "WiFi" in English works too. Chinese networks often require SMS verification with a local number

11. 无线网密码

    Wúxiànwǎng mìmǎ

    Wi-Fi password

    Usage

    Show it in a café or guesthouse and staff will write it down or point at the receipt

12. 手机卡

    Shǒujīkǎ

    SIM card

    Usage

    Buying one requires passport registration. Get it at a China Mobile, Unicom, or Telecom shop

13. 内存卡

    Nèicúnkǎ

    Memory card

    Usage

    Show it with the capacity you want at a camera shop or electronics market

14. 耳机

    Ěrjī

    Earphones

    Usage

    On high-speed trains and metros, using earphones instead of a speaker is expected. Station kiosks sell them

15. 音箱

    Yīnxiāng

    Speaker

    Usage

    A Bluetooth speaker is "lányá yīnxiāng"

16. 相机

    Xiàngjī

    Camera

    Usage

    Also useful for checking where photos are banned. "Kěyǐ pāizhào ma" asks if you may take a picture

17. 手电筒

    Shǒudiàntǒng

    Flashlight

    Usage

    Needed in caves, on night trails, and in blackouts. The phone torch goes by the same word

18. 空调

    Kōngtiáo

    Air conditioner

    Usage

    "Kōngtiáo huài le" — the air conditioning is broken — is a phrase you will use at the front desk

19. 遥控器

    Yáokòngqì

    Remote control

    Usage

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

20. 电风扇

    Diànfēngshàn

    Electric fan

    Usage

    Shortened to "fēngshàn". Budget guesthouses without air-con will often lend one

21. 冰箱

    Bīngxiāng

    Refrigerator

    Usage

    Also for asking to store medicine. "Kěyǐ fàng bīngxiāng ma" asks if you may put it in the fridge

22. 电视

    Diànshì

    Television

    Usage

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

23. 微波炉

    Wēibōlú

    Microwave

    Usage

    Show it to have a lunchbox heated at a convenience store. "Jiārè yíxià" means please heat it up

24. 电热水壶

    Diàn rèshuǐhú

    Electric kettle

    Usage

    Found in nearly every room. Boiled water is the norm in China, and stations have hot-water dispensers too

25. 洗衣机

    Xǐyījī

    Washing machine

    Usage

    Show it to ask whether you can use one at a guesthouse. Shared machines usually take QR-code payment

26. 吹风机

    Chuīfēngjī

    Hair dryer

    Usage

    If there is none in the room, the front desk will usually lend you one

27. 热水器

    Rèshuǐqì

    Water heater

    Usage

    In budget rooms it takes time after switching on. Pair it with "méiyǒu rèshuǐ" — there is no hot water

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