Electronics

1. Telefon komórkowy

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   In everyday speech it is almost always shortened to "komórka". A smartphone is "smartfon"

2. Tablet

   Usage

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

3. Laptop

   Usage

   The English word is standard. Polish does have "komputer przenośny", but nobody says it in conversation

4. Ładowarka

   Charger

   Usage

   To borrow one: "czy mogę pożyczyć ładowarkę?"

5. Kabel do ładowania

   Charging cable

   Usage

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

6. Powerbank

   Power bank

   Usage

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

7. Przejściówka

   Plug adapter

   Usage

   Poland runs at 230V. Newer buildings use the French type E socket with a protruding earth pin, while older ones may have the pinless type C. A German type F plug, with side contacts rather than a hole for the pin, does not always seat properly in a type E socket

8. Gniazdko

   Power socket

   Usage

   "Gdzie jest gniazdko?" — where is there a socket? The plug you put in it is "wtyczka"

   Grammar Note

   A diminutive of "gniazdo", a nest or socket — Polish reaches for diminutives constantly

9. Przedłużacz

   Extension lead / Power strip

   Usage

   Covers both an extension lead and a multi-socket strip. Useful for borrowing one at your accommodation

10. Baterie

    Batteries

    Usage

    The singular is "bateria". AA cells are nicknamed "paluszki" — little sticks — but "AA" and "AAA" work fine in a shop

11. Wi-Fi

    Usage

    "Czy jest tu Wi-Fi?" — is there Wi-Fi here? Free Wi-Fi is widespread in Polish cafés, coaches and trains

12. Hasło do Wi-Fi

    Wi-Fi password

    Usage

    "Jakie jest hasło do Wi-Fi?" is the set phrase. In cafés it is often on the receipt or a card on the table

13. Karta SIM

    SIM card

    Usage

    A prepaid one is "karta prepaid" or "starter", sold in Żabka kiosks, supermarkets and phone shops. Poland requires prepaid SIMs to be registered to a person, so take your passport

14. Karta pamięci

    Memory card

    Usage

    In a shop just say "karta SD" or "micro SD"

15. Słuchawki

    Headphones / Earphones

    Usage

    One word for both over-ear and in-ear; specify with "douszne" for buds and "nauszne" for the big ones. Always plural

16. Głośnik

    Speaker

    Usage

    Built from "głośny", loud. A Bluetooth speaker is "głośnik Bluetooth"

17. Aparat fotograficzny

    Camera

    Usage

    Shortened to "aparat" in speech. A video camera is a different word, "kamera", so keep the two apart. "Czy mogę zrobić zdjęcie?" — may I take a photo?

18. Latarka

    Flashlight / Torch

    Usage

    The phone's light is the same word, "latarka w telefonie". Worth having at the Wieliczka salt mine and around Tatra huts

19. Klimatyzacja

    Air conditioning

    Usage

    Shortened to "klima". Older Polish flats often have none, which bites during a summer heatwave, so ask before booking: "czy w pokoju jest klimatyzacja?"

20. Pilot

    Remote control

    Usage

    The same word means a pilot and a tour leader ("pilot wycieczek"). "Gdzie jest pilot?" in a hotel room will be understood as the remote

21. Wentylator

    Electric fan

    Usage

    Ask for one where the room has no air conditioning: "czy jest wentylator?"

22. Lodówka

    Fridge

    Usage

    Built from "lód", ice. The freezer is "zamrażarka"; a hotel room fridge is "minibar"

23. Telewizor

    Television set

    Usage

    Polish splits the set ("telewizor") from the medium ("telewizja"). Broadcast films here famously use the "lektor" — one voice reading every role over the original soundtrack

24. Mikrofalówka

    Microwave

    Usage

    The colloquial form of the formal "kuchenka mikrofalowa", and what everyone actually says. "Czy może pan/pani to podgrzać?" — could you heat this up?

25. Czajnik elektryczny

    Electric kettle

    Usage

    Poland drinks a great deal of tea, so homes and most accommodation have one. Shortened to "czajnik" in speech: "czy jest czajnik?"

26. Pralka

    Washing machine

    Usage

    A launderette is "pralnia samoobsługowa", but they are thin on the ground here, so borrowing the machine where you stay is more practical. The dishwasher is "zmywarka"

27. Suszarka do włosów

    Hairdryer

    Usage

    Plain "suszarka" can mean a tumble dryer or a dish rack, so add "do włosów" when you mean the hairdryer

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