Electronics

1. Telefon bimbit

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   Literally "carried phone". In speech "handphone" or "HP" is just as common. Indonesian uses "handphone / HP" as its default

2. Tablet

   Usage

   Used as-is from English. You may be asked to take it out at airport security

3. Komputer riba

   Laptop

   Usage

   Literally "lap computer". In speech "laptop" is equally common. Indonesian only uses "laptop"

4. Komputer

   Computer

   Usage

   A desktop machine — what you need at an internet cafe or a hotel business corner

5. Pengecas

   Charger

   Usage

   Built from the verb "cas" (to charge). "Boleh cas di sini?" asks whether you can charge here. Indonesian just says "charger"

6. Kabel pengecas

   Charging cable

   Usage

   Show the connector type (Type-C or Lightning) along with the word

7. Power bank

   Usage

   The English term is what everyone uses. It must go in your carry-on, never in checked baggage

8. Adaptor

   Plug adapter

   Usage

   Malaysia runs 240V on UK-style square three-pin sockets (type G) — bring one, as flat pins will not fit. Indonesia uses round pins, a different standard

9. Soket

   Power socket

   Usage

   Show it when asking where you can charge. Malaysian sockets have their own switch — nothing flows until you flip it on

10. Bateri

    Battery

    Usage

    Covers dry cells and built-in batteries. "Bateri habis" means the battery is dead. Indonesian spells it "baterai"

11. Wi-Fi

    Usage

    "Ada Wi-Fi?" asks whether there is Wi-Fi. Mamak stalls and malls almost always have it free

12. Kata laluan Wi-Fi

    Wi-Fi password

    Usage

    "Kata laluan" is the Malay word for password. Indonesian normally just says "password"

13. Kad SIM

    SIM card

    Usage

    Malay spells card as "kad". Buy one at the airport or a phone shop; your passport is required to register it

14. Kad memori

    Memory card

    Usage

    For buying an SD card for your camera; "kad SD" also works

15. Fon telinga

    Earphones

    Usage

    Literally "ear phone". People also say "earphone" in speech. Indonesians usually say "headset"

16. Pembesar suara

    Speaker

    Usage

    Literally "sound enlarger". In speech "speaker" works too

17. Kamera

    Camera

    Usage

    Used when checking whether photography is allowed at a mosque or museum

18. Lampu suluh

    Flashlight

    Usage

    Needed for cave visits and blackouts. Indonesian uses a completely different word, "senter"

19. Penghawa dingin

    Air conditioner

    Usage

    The formal term; in everyday speech people say "aircond". Indonesians say "AC"

20. Alat kawalan jauh

    Remote control

    Usage

    The formal term is long, so people just say "remote". Show it when the air-con or TV remote is missing

21. Kipas

    Fan

    Usage

    Budget rooms often have only a fan — check before you book. Indonesian uses two words, "kipas angin"

22. Peti sejuk

    Refrigerator

    Usage

    Literally "cold box". Use it to ask whether the room has a fridge. Indonesian says "kulkas"

23. Televisyen

    Television

    Usage

    In speech people just say "TV". Indonesian spells it "televisi"

24. Ketuhar gelombang mikro

    Microwave oven

    Usage

    The formal term is a mouthful, so everyone says "microwave". Useful when asking a convenience store to heat something up

25. Cerek elektrik

    Electric kettle

    Usage

    "Cerek" is a kettle — for boiling water in your room. Indonesian says "teko"

26. Mesin basuh

    Washing machine

    Usage

    "Basuh" means to wash; a laundromat is "dobi layan diri". Indonesian uses a different verb: "mesin cuci"

27. Pemanas air

    Water heater

    Usage

    Budget rooms often have only cold water — use it to check whether "air panas" (hot water) is available

28. Seterika

    Iron

    Usage

    For borrowing an iron at your hotel. Indonesian spells it "setrika", one letter apart

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