Electronics

1. פלאפון

   pelefon

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   Originally the name of an Israeli carrier, now the everyday generic word for a mobile. The formal term is "telefon nayad", portable phone, which is what appears on forms and adverts

2. סמארטפון

   smartfon

   Smartphone

   Usage

   The English loanword, used as is. In speech people also just say "nayad"

3. טאבלט

   tablet

   Tablet

   Usage

   The thing security asks you to take out of your bag. Screening at Ben Gurion is thorough and involves a lot of questions, so keep your electronics accessible

4. מחשב נייד

   makhshev nayad

   Laptop

   Usage

   Literally "portable computer"; in speech also "laptop". Tel Aviv cafés are full of people working, so sockets are not hard to find

5. מטען

   mat'en

   Charger

   Usage

   For losing one, buying one or borrowing one. "Efshar lish'ol mat'en?" asks to borrow a charger

6. כבל טעינה

   kevel te'ina

   Charging cable

   Usage

   Say the connector type — USB-C or Lightning — as well. Phone shops and electronics stores have them

7. סוללה ניידת

   solela nayedet

   Power bank

   Usage

   Literally "portable battery"; in speech often just "powerbank". Lithium cells go in hand luggage, never the hold

8. מתאם

   mate'am

   Plug adapter

   Usage

   Israel uses its own three-pin type H at 230V, so neither a Japanese plug nor necessarily a European adapter will fit — though most newer sockets also accept the round two-pin type C. In speech people also say "adapter"

9. שקע

   sheka

   Power socket

   Usage

   Show it when hunting for a socket. "Efshar lehishtamesh ba-sheka?" asks permission. The plug itself is "teka" (תקע) — one letter apart, so mind the pair

10. כבל מאריך

    kevel ma'arikh

    Extension lead

    Usage

    Literally "lengthening cable". Lets one adapter serve several devices, which is why it is worth packing. A plain splitter is a "mefatsel"

11. סוללה

    solela

    Battery

    Usage

    Covers both dry cells and a phone's internal battery. Say the size as AA or AAA in English and you will be understood

12. וויי-פיי

    wai-fai

    Wi-Fi

    Usage

    "Yesh wai-fai?" asks whether there is Wi-Fi. Coverage is good — cafés, buses and trains alike

13. סיסמת הוויי-פיי

    sismat hawai-fai

    Wi-Fi password

    Usage

    Show it and staff will write it on your receipt. "Ma ha-sisma?" means "what's the password?"

14. כרטיס סים

    kartis sim

    SIM card

    Usage

    Prepaid tourist SIMs are sold at the airport and in phone shops around town, and you need your passport

15. כרטיס זיכרון

    kartis zikaron

    Memory card

    Usage

    Literally "card of memory". Show it at an electronics shop when the camera fills up

16. אוזניות

    ozniyot

    Headphones / earphones

    Usage

    Built from the plural of "ozen", ear, and covers both earbuds and over-ear headphones. Wireless ones are "ozniyot alkhutiyot"

17. רמקול

    ramkol

    Speaker

    Usage

    A blend of "ram", loud, and "kol", voice. Point at it to ask for the volume down: "efshar lehanmikh?"

18. מצלמה

    matslema

    Camera

    Usage

    "Efshar letsalem?" asks if you may take a photo. Religious sites and ultra-Orthodox neighbourhoods often object, and in some places photography is best avoided altogether on Shabbat — always ask

19. פנס

    panas

    Flashlight

    Usage

    Needed for Hezekiah's Tunnel in Jerusalem, cave visits and desert camping. A head torch is a "panas rosh"

20. מזגן

    mazgan

    Air conditioner

    Usage

    Indispensable in an Israeli summer. "Ha-mazgan lo oved" means the AC is not working. Most units heat as well as cool, which is how they are used in a Jerusalem winter

21. שלט

    shalat

    Remote control

    Usage

    Formally "shalat rakhok", distant control. Use it at reception when the TV or AC remote has vanished

22. מאוורר

    me'avrer

    Electric fan

    Usage

    For asking at a guesthouse without AC: "yesh me'avrer?"

23. מקרר

    mekarer

    Refrigerator

    Usage

    From "kar", cold. A guest-room fridge is also called a "mini bar"

24. טלוויזיה

    televizya

    Television

    Usage

    Borrowed from English, and often clipped to "televiz" in speech

25. מיקרוגל

    mikrogal

    Microwave oven

    Usage

    A blend of "mikro" and "gal", wave. "Efshar lekhamem?" asks a shop to heat something. In shared kitchens, meat and dairy equipment is sometimes kept separate — check the labels

26. קומקום חשמלי

    kumkum khashmali

    Electric kettle

    Usage

    Literally "electric kettle", and standard in most guest rooms. Some places keep an urn on the boil through Shabbat so no one has to switch anything on

27. מכונת כביסה

    mekhonat kvisa

    Washing machine

    Usage

    Literally "laundry machine". A laundrette or laundry shop is a "mikhbasa"; specify self-service with "mikhbasa otomatit"

28. מייבש שיער

    meyabesh se'ar

    Hair dryer

    Usage

    Literally "hair drier"; in speech usually shortened to "fen"

29. דוד שמש

    dud shemesh

    Solar water heater

    Usage

    Literally "sun tank" — fitted on almost every rooftop in Israel and required by law. On a sunny day the hot water is free; in winter, cloud or late at night you need the electric booster, and its switch is also called the "dud". If there is no hot water, ask "efshar lehadlik et ha-dud?"

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