Electronics

1. kännykkä

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   The everyday Finnish word. The formal term is "matkapuhelin", literally a travel phone, but speech almost always uses "kännykkä" — a coinage from "käsi" (hand) that stuck during the Nokia years

2. tabletti

   Tablet

   Usage

   The English word fitted to Finnish sound rules — adding a final -i is how Finnish naturalises loanwords

3. kannettava tietokone

   Laptop

   Usage

   Literally "portable knowledge machine". In speech it is shortened to "läppäri". Show it when you want to ask a café for a socket

4. laturi

   Charger

   Usage

   "Unohdin laturini" — I forgot my charger. Same form as in the Basic Nouns category

5. latausjohto

   Charging cable

   Usage

   EU rules mean new devices sold in Finland all use USB-C, so asking for a "USB-C-johto" works in any shop

6. varavirtalähde

   Power bank

   Usage

   Literally "reserve power source", though people often just say "powerbank". Essential while waiting for the aurora or out in the cold, which kills a phone battery fast

7. matka-adapteri

   Travel adapter

   Usage

   Finland uses the round two-pin Type C / Type F socket, so a Japanese plug will not fit — bring one. The supply is 230 V, so some devices also need a converter

8. pistorasia

   Power socket

   Usage

   "Missä on pistorasia?" — where is the socket? Long-distance trains and most cafés have one at every seat. Pairs with "Onko täällä latauspiste?" in the Internet & WiFi category

9. paristo

   Battery (disposable cell)

   Usage

   Finnish separates the disposable cell, "paristo", from the rechargeable or built-in battery, "akku" — a dead phone is "akku on loppu". Used cells go in the collection box at the shop

10. wifi

    Wi-Fi

    Usage

    Written in lower case in Finnish. Free and near-universal — cafés, libraries, even coaches. Finland's public libraries are open to anyone and the Wi-Fi comes free with them

11. wifi-salasana

    Wi-Fi password

    Usage

    The same word as in "Mikä on wifi-salasana?" in the Internet & WiFi category. It is often printed on your receipt

12. SIM-kortti

    SIM card

    Usage

    Prepaid ones are "prepaid-liittymä", sold at R-kioski kiosks and supermarkets. Finnish mobile data is cheap and often genuinely unlimited. Pairs with "Tarvitsen suomalaista SIM-korttia" in the Internet & WiFi category

13. eSIM

    Usage

    Activated by QR code with no physical card. "Onko teillä eSIM?" — do you offer eSIM?

14. muistikortti

    Memory card

    Usage

    For buying an SD card for a camera. Saying "SD-kortti" works too

15. kuulokkeet

    Headphones / Earphones

    Usage

    Always plural. In-ear ones are "nappikuulokkeet", button headphones. Wireless is "langattomat kuulokkeet"

16. kamera

    Camera

    Usage

    "Voitko ottaa kuvan?" — could you take a picture? For the northern lights you will need a "jalusta", a tripod

17. taskulamppu

    Torch / Flashlight

    Usage

    Literally "pocket lamp", and a necessity during "kaamos", the northern polar night when the sun never rises. A head torch, "otsalamppu", is the more practical choice

18. ilmastointi

    Air conditioning

    Usage

    Many Finnish homes and hotels have none. What they do have is an "ilmalämpöpumppu" heat pump, which can also cool. Worth checking before you book in a heatwave

19. kaukosäädin

    Remote control

    Usage

    For asking at a hotel when you cannot find the one for the TV or the heating

20. tuuletin

    Fan

    Usage

    What to ask for in a room with no AC: "Onko teillä tuuletinta?"

21. jääkaappi

    Fridge

    Usage

    Literally "ice cupboard". Use it when checking whether your accommodation has one. A freezer is a "pakastin"

22. televisio

    Television

    Usage

    Colloquially "telkkari". Finland subtitles foreign programmes rather than dubbing them, which is often credited for children's reading scores. The public broadcaster is Yle

23. mikroaaltouuni

    Microwave

    Usage

    Usually shortened to "mikro". "Voitko lämmittää tämän?" — could you heat this up?

24. vedenkeitin

    Electric kettle

    Usage

    Literally "water boiler". Finnish tap water is among the best anywhere. This is the world's biggest coffee-drinking nation, so your accommodation will have a coffee maker too

25. pesukone

    Washing machine

    Usage

    Finnish apartment blocks have a shared "pesutupa" that you book on a time sheet. A launderette is an "itsepalvelupesula", as in the Basic Nouns category

26. hiustenkuivaaja

    Hair dryer

    Usage

    "Onko teillä hiustenkuivaajaa?" — is there a hair dryer? Japanese models often will not take 230 V, so check before plugging in

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