Electronics

1. pumbyry

   Telephone

   Usage

   A Guaraní coinage from pu (sound) and mbyry (far). Used in official texts and at school, though people usually say teléfono in daily speech

2. celular

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   The everyday word for a mobile

3. cargador

   Charger

   Usage

   "Aipota acargar che teléfono" = I want to charge my phone

4. cable

   Cable

   Usage

   Use it when you need just the cable

5. batería

   Battery

   Usage

   Heat drains them too; do not leave devices in a parked car

6. enchufe

   Power outlet

   Usage

   Paraguay runs at 220V with European-style two-round-pin (type C) sockets; Japanese plugs will not fit as they are

7. adaptador

   Plug adapter

   Usage

   You need a type C adapter, and even then check your device handles 220V

8. luz

   Electricity / light

   Usage

   Outages are more likely at peak summer demand; the fans stop, so keep water on hand

9. internet

   Internet

   Usage

   "Naikuaái mba'éichapa aportaha internet" = I don't know how to connect

10. WiFi

    Wi-Fi

    Usage

    "Oĩpa WiFi ko'ápe?" = is there Wi-Fi here?

11. contraseña

    Password

    Usage

    "Mba'épa pe contraseña?" = what is the password?

12. señal

    Signal / reception

    Usage

    "Oĩpa señal ko'ápe?" = is there a signal here? Coverage fails deep in the Chaco

13. chip

    SIM card

    Usage

    "Aipota acomprar chip" = I want to buy a SIM. You need your passport

14. computadora

    Computer

    Usage

    A laptop is usually just called a laptop

15. cámara

    Camera

    Usage

    Always ask before photographing people

16. ventilador

    Fan

    Usage

    Paraguayan summers pass 40°C; always check a room has a fan or air conditioning before taking it

17. aire acondicionado

    Air conditioning

    Usage

    Often shortened to "aire"; in summer it accounts for much of the price difference between rooms

18. heladera

    Refrigerator

    Usage

    Paraguay says heladera rather than refrigerador; it is what keeps the ice water for tereré cold

19. televisor

    Television

    Usage

    Use it to ask whether a room has one

20. radio

    Radio

    Usage

    Plenty of Guaraní-language programming, good for training your ear, and still a main news source in the countryside

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