Electronics

1. de mobiele telefoon

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   In everyday speech the diminutive "het mobieltje" is the usual word, and "de smartphone" works too. Using one while cycling is an offence here and carries a fine

2. de tablet

   Tablet

   Usage

   The English word works. Security may ask you to take it out of your bag separately

3. de laptop

   Laptop

   Usage

   The English word is standard. Working in a café is normal here, though it is polite not to linger at busy times

4. de oplader

   Charger

   Usage

   To borrow one: "heeft u een oplader die ik mag lenen?"

5. de oplaadkabel

   Charging cable

   Usage

   In a shop it is quicker to name the connector — "USB-C" and "Lightning" are used as-is

6. de powerbank

   Power bank

   Usage

   The English term is standard. It cannot go in checked baggage — carry it in the cabin

7. de wereldstekker

   Travel plug adapter

   Usage

   Literally "world plug". The Netherlands runs at 230V with the European C and F sockets, so check that a Japanese or North American device is rated 100–240V, not just that the plug fits

8. het stopcontact

   Power socket

   Usage

   "Waar is een stopcontact?" — where is there a socket? The plug you put in it is "de stekker"

9. de stekkerdoos

   Power strip

   Usage

   Literally "plug box". One on a long lead is "het verlengsnoer"

10. de batterijen

    Batteries

    Usage

    The singular is "de batterij"; AA and AAA are used as-is. Used cells go in the collection box, "de batterijbak", found in shops

11. de wifi

    Wi-Fi

    Usage

    "Heeft u wifi?" — do you have Wi-Fi? Dutch public transport is well covered, and NS trains offer it free

12. het wifiwachtwoord

    Wi-Fi password

    Usage

    "Wat is het wifiwachtwoord?" is the set phrase. In cafés it is often printed on the receipt

13. de simkaart

    SIM card

    Usage

    A prepaid one is "de prepaid simkaart", sold in supermarkets, phone shops and station kiosks

14. de geheugenkaart

    Memory card

    Usage

    In a shop just say "de SD-kaart" or "de micro-SD"

15. de oordopjes

    Earbuds

    Usage

    The in-ear kind. The same word also means earplugs, so be clear in a shop. Over-ear headphones are "de koptelefoon"

16. de koptelefoon

    Headphones

    Usage

    Literally "head telephone" — the over-ear kind

17. de speaker

    Speaker

    Usage

    The English word is standard; the native Dutch is "de luidspreker" — the loud speaker

18. de camera

    Camera

    Usage

    The same word for stills and video. In a museum ask "mag ik hier foto's maken?"

19. de zaklamp

    Flashlight / Torch

    Usage

    Literally "pocket lamp". A bike light is "het fietslicht", and riding without one after dark earns a fine here

20. de airco

    Air conditioning

    Usage

    A clipped form of "air conditioning". Dutch summers are short, so homes and many hotels simply do not have it, which bites in a heatwave. Ask before booking: "heeft de kamer airco?"

21. de afstandsbediening

    Remote control

    Usage

    "Waar is de afstandsbediening?" — where is the remote?

22. de ventilator

    Electric fan

    Usage

    With air conditioning rare, this is what you borrow in summer: "heeft u een ventilator?"

23. de koelkast

    Fridge

    Usage

    The freezer is "de vriezer"; a hotel room fridge is "de minibar"

24. de televisie

    Television

    Usage

    Shortened to "de tv". The Netherlands subtitles foreign programmes rather than dubbing them, so English shows keep their soundtrack — often credited as one reason Dutch English is so good

25. de magnetron

    Microwave

    Usage

    Nothing like the English word, so it is worth learning. "Kunt u dit opwarmen?" — could you heat this up?

26. de waterkoker

    Electric kettle

    Usage

    The Dutch drink a great deal of tea and coffee, so homes and most accommodation have one. "Is er een waterkoker?" — is there a kettle?

27. de wasmachine

    Washing machine

    Usage

    A launderette is "de wasserette". The dryer is "de droger", though Dutch homes often just hang the washing indoors

28. de föhn

    Hairdryer

    Usage

    From German, and also called "de haardroger". To check: "is er een föhn op de kamer?"

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