B1Korean

Getting a Phone / SIM Card

These phrases will help you navigate a mobile store in Korea to purchase, activate, and top up a prepaid SIM card.

Key Phrases

Requesting a prepaid SIM · 2 ways to say it

선불 유심 하나 사려고 하는데요.

neutral

seonbul yusim hana saryeogo haneundeyo.

I'm looking to buy a prepaid SIM card.

A natural way to state your purpose when you first walk into the store.

선불 유심을 개통하고 싶습니다.

polite

seonbul yusimeul gaetonghago sipseumnida.

I would like to activate a prepaid SIM card.

A more formal approach, suitable for official retail shops.

Inquiring about data plans · 2 ways to say it

데이터 무제한 요금제는 한 달에 얼마예요?

neutral

deiteo mujehan yogeumjeneun han dare eolmayeyo?

How much is the unlimited data plan for a month?

Use this to ask about pricing for unlimited (mujehan) data.

어떤 요금제가 제일 인기가 많습니까?

polite

eotteon yogeumjega jeil ingiga manseumnikka?

Which plan is the most popular?

A formal question to ask the staff for their recommendation.

Asking about coverage

시골이나 지방에서도 잘 터지나요?

neutral

sigorina jibangeseodo jal teojinayo?

Does it get good reception in the countryside or other regions?

The verb 'teojida' (literally 'to burst') is the everyday way to talk about getting a signal.

Requesting/Providing ID · 2 ways to say it

신분증이나 여권을 보여 주십시오.

polite

sinbunjeungina yeogwoneul boyeo jusipsio.

Please show your ID or passport.

Staff will use formal honorifics when asking for your documents.

네, 여기 제 여권이요.

neutral

ne, yeogi je yeogwoniyo.

Yes, here is my passport.

A quick, polite way to hand over your documents.

Explaining usage needs

전화를 많이 안 해서 데이터만 많은 걸로 할게요.

neutral

jeonhwareul mani an haeseo deiteoman maneun geollo halgeyo.

I don't make many calls, so I'll take one with a lot of data.

Explains a choice using the '-아서/어서' (because/so) connector.

Checking SIM cost

유심 칩 비용은 따로 내야 하나요?

neutral

yusim chip biyongeun ttaro naeya hanayo?

Do I have to pay separately for the SIM card itself?

Sometimes the physical SIM card is not included in the plan's price.

Asking about top-up · 2 ways to say it

데이터가 모자라면 어떻게 충전해요?

neutral

deiteoga mojaramyeon eotteoke chungjeonhaeyo?

How do I top up if I run out of data?

Crucial for prepaid users to know how to recharge their balance.

나 데이터 다 썼는데 어떻게 충전해?

casual

na deiteo da sseonneunde eotteoke chungjeonhae?

I used all my data, how do I top up?

Use this casual form only when asking a close Korean friend for help.

Checking activation time · 2 ways to say it

지금 바로 사용할 수 있나요?

neutral

jigeum baro sayonghal su innayo?

Can I use it right away?

Checking if the activation process is instant.

오 분 정도 기다리시면 개통됩니다.

polite

o bun jeongdo gidarisimyeon gaetongdoemnida.

It will be activated if you wait about 5 minutes.

A typical formal response from staff regarding wait times.

Asking for installation help

제 휴대폰에 유심 좀 꽂아 주실 수 있어요?

neutral

je hyudaepone yusim jom kkoja jusil su isseoyo?

Could you put the SIM card in my phone for me?

The verb 'kkojda' means to insert or plug in.

Practice Dialogue

Traveler
안녕하세요, 선불 유심 하나 사려고 하는데요.
annyeonghaseyo, seonbul yusim hana saryeogo haneundeyo.
Staff
네, 데이터 무제한 요금제가 제일 인기가 많습니다.
ne, deiteo mujehan yogeumjega jeil ingiga manseumnida.
Traveler
그걸로 할게요. 한 달에 얼마예요?
geugeollo halgeyo. han dare eolmayeyo?
Staff
칠만 원입니다. 여권을 보여 주시겠습니까?
chilman wonimnida. yeogwoneul boyeo jusigetseumnikka?
Traveler
네, 여기 제 여권이요. 바로 사용할 수 있나요?
ne, yeogi je yeogwoniyo. baro sayonghal su innayo?
Staff
네, 오 분 정도 기다리시면 개통됩니다.
ne, o bun jeongdo gidarisimyeon gaetongdoemnida.
Traveler
혹시 제 휴대폰에 유심 좀 꽂아 주실 수 있어요?
hoksi je hyudaepone yusim jom kkoja jusil su isseoyo?
Staff
물론이죠. 휴대폰 잠깐 주시겠어요?
mullonijyo. hyudaepon jamkkan jusigesseoyo?

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