Chinese for Travel
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Unit 2 · SIM & internet Lesson 12 5 min Free in the app

Buying a SIM card in Chinese

Buy a local SIM card at the airport or a mobile shop, and ask what documents are needed. A carrier counter in the arrivals hall at Beijing Daxing. Ten minutes here and your phone works in China.

买卡

Key phrases

The 6 phrases this lesson is built around, with the words that make them up. Tap ▶ to listen, or the turtle to hear it slowly.

  • 我想买一张中国手机卡。

    Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì zhāng Zhōngguó shǒujī kǎ.

    I’d like to buy a Chinese SIM card.

    • 我Wǒ
    • 想xiǎng
    • 买mǎi
    • 一yì
    • 张zhāng
    • 中国Zhōngguó
    • 手机shǒujī
    • 卡kǎ

  • 我需要七天的套餐。

    Wǒ xūyào qī tiān de tàocān.

    I need a seven-day plan.

    • 我Wǒ
    • 需要xūyào
    • 七qī
    • 天tiān
    • 的de
    • 套餐tàocān

  • 我主要需要上网。

    Wǒ zhǔyào xūyào shàngwǎng.

    I mainly need internet access.

    • 我Wǒ
    • 主要zhǔyào
    • 需要xūyào
    • 上网shàngwǎng

  • 这个套餐包含多少流量？

    Zhège tàocān bāohán duōshǎo liúliàng?

    How much data does this plan include?

    • 这个Zhège
    • 套餐tàocān
    • 包含bāohán
    • 多少duōshǎo
    • 流量liúliàng

  • 可以帮我激活吗？

    Kěyǐ bāng wǒ jīhuó ma?

    Could you help me activate it?

    • 可以Kěyǐ
    • 帮bāng
    • 我wǒ
    • 激活jīhuó
    • 吗ma

  • 现在可以上网了吗？

    Xiànzài kěyǐ shàngwǎng le ma?

    Can I use the internet now?

    • 现在Xiànzài
    • 可以kěyǐ
    • 上网shàngwǎng
    • 了le
    • 吗ma

More phrases for this situation

Every other phrase from the lesson: 17 in all.

  • 请问哪里可以买手机卡？

    Qǐngwèn nǎlǐ kěyǐ mǎi shǒujī kǎ?

    Excuse me, where can I buy a SIM card?

  • 到达大厅有手机卡柜台。

    Dàodá dàtīng yǒu shǒujī kǎ guìtái.

    There is a SIM card counter in the arrivals hall.

  • 请问您需要几天的套餐？

    Qǐngwèn nín xūyào jǐ tiān de tàocān?

    How many days of service do you need?

  • 我需要十五天的套餐。

    Wǒ xūyào shíwǔ tiān de tàocān.

    I need a fifteen-day plan.

  • 这个套餐可以打电话吗？

    Zhège tàocān kěyǐ dǎ diànhuà ma?

    Can I make phone calls with this plan?

  • 需要用护照实名登记。

    Xūyào yòng hùzhào shímíng dēngjì.

    You need to register with your passport under your real name.

  • 这是我的护照。

    Zhè shì wǒ de hùzhào.

    Here is my passport.

  • 请问办理需要多长时间？

    Qǐngwèn bànlǐ xūyào duō cháng shíjiān?

    How long does it take to set up?

  • 可以帮我安装手机卡吗？

    Kěyǐ bāng wǒ ānzhuāng shǒujī kǎ ma?

    Could you help me install the SIM card?

  • 请重启手机，然后打开移动数据。

    Qǐng chóngqǐ shǒujī, ránhòu dǎkāi yídòng shùjù.

    Please restart your phone, then turn on mobile data.

  • 移动数据还是不能用。

    Yídòng shùjù háishì bù néng yòng.

    Mobile data still does not work.

  • 请帮我检查一下设置。

    Qǐng bāng wǒ jiǎnchá yíxià shèzhì.

    Please help me check the settings.

  • 我可以用支付宝付款吗？

    Wǒ kěyǐ yòng Zhīfùbǎo fùkuǎn ma?

    Can I pay with Alipay?

  • 我可以用银行卡付款吗？

    Wǒ kěyǐ yòng yínhángkǎ fùkuǎn ma?

    Can I pay by bank card?

  • 可以给我一张收据吗？

    Kěyǐ gěi wǒ yì zhāng shōujù ma?

    Could I have a receipt?

  • 如果不能用，我可以回来找您吗？

    Rúguǒ bù néng yòng, wǒ kěyǐ huílái zhǎo nín ma?

    If it does not work, can I come back to you?

  • 谢谢您的帮助。

    Xièxie nín de bāngzhù.

    Thank you for your help.

What you’ll hear, and how to answer

Staff won’t follow your script. These are things they are likely to say here, with a reply that works.

  1. Staff

    您好，办卡吗？

    Nín hǎo, bàn kǎ ma?

    Hello — getting a SIM card?

    You

    我想买一张中国手机卡。

    Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì zhāng Zhōngguó shǒujī kǎ.

    I’d like to buy a Chinese SIM card.

  2. Staff

    好了，您试一下。

    Hǎo le, nín shì yíxià.

    Done. Give it a try.

    You

    现在可以上网了吗？

    Xiànzài kěyǐ shàngwǎng le ma?

    Can I use the internet now?

Play the scene

A carrier counter in the arrivals hall at Beijing Daxing. Ten minutes here and your phone works in China.

北京大兴机场·营业厅 · A phone shop at Beijing Daxing Airport

  1. Staff

    您好，办卡吗？

    Nín hǎo, bàn kǎ ma?

    Hello — getting a SIM card?

  2. You

    我想买一张中国手机卡。

    Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì zhāng Zhōngguó shǒujī kǎ.

    I’d like to buy a Chinese SIM card.

  3. Traveler

    请问您需要几天的套餐？

    Qǐngwèn nín xūyào jǐ tiān de tàocān?

    How many days of service do you need?

  4. You

    我需要七天的套餐。

    Wǒ xūyào qī tiān de tàocān.

    I need a seven-day plan.

  5. Staff

    七天的套餐一百块，流量够用。

    Qī tiān de tàocān yìbǎi kuài, liúliàng gòu yòng.

    The seven-day plan is a hundred yuan, with plenty of data.

  6. You

    这个套餐可以打电话吗？

    Zhège tàocān kěyǐ dǎ diànhuà ma?

    Can I make phone calls with this plan?

  7. Staff

    这个是纯流量卡，不能打电话。

    Zhège shì chún liúliàng kǎ, bù néng dǎ diànhuà.

    This one is data-only. No calls.

  8. You

    我主要需要上网。

    Wǒ zhǔyào xūyào shàngwǎng.

    I mainly need internet access.

Culture tip

Step 4: Test before leaving

Ask staff to install and activate the SIM. Try mobile data before leaving the counter.

What document may be needed for real-name registration?

Show the answer

护照

Go deeper

Background for this situation: key words, what to expect and a few more short dialogues.

Key Terms

手机卡 A SIM card or phone card used for mobile data, calls, and sometimes text messages.

我想买一张中国手机卡。 Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì zhāng Zhōngguó shǒujī kǎ. I’d like to buy a Chinese SIM card.

套餐 A mobile plan or package, usually including data, validity period, and sometimes calls or messages.

我需要七天的套餐。 Wǒ xūyào qī tiān de tàocān. I need a seven-day plan.

流量 Mobile data used for internet access, maps, payment apps, ride-hailing, and messaging.

这个套餐包含多少流量？ Zhège tàocān bāohán duōshǎo liúliàng? How much data does this plan include?

实名登记 Real-name registration. In China, buying or activating a local SIM card may require passport registration.

需要用护照实名登记。 Xūyào yòng hùzhào shímíng dēngjì. You need to register with your passport under your real name.

移动数据 Mobile data on your phone. You may need to turn it on after activating the SIM card.

请重启手机，然后打开移动数据。 Qǐng chóngqǐ shǒujī, ránhòu dǎkāi yídòng shùjù. Please restart your phone, then turn on mobile data.

激活 To activate a SIM card so it can be used for mobile service.

可以帮我激活吗？ Kěyǐ bāng wǒ jīhuó ma? Could you help me activate it?

What to Ask Before Buying

Data amount

Ask how much data the plan includes. Use: 这个套餐包含多少流量？

Validity period

Choose a plan that matches your trip length, such as seven days, fifteen days, or thirty days.

Calls and SMS

Some tourist plans are data-only. If you need calls or text messages, ask before buying.

Setup help

Before leaving the counter, ask staff to install, activate, and test the SIM card.

Useful Question Patterns

我想买…… Use this to say you want to buy something.

我想买一张中国手机卡。 Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì zhāng Zhōngguó shǒujī kǎ. I’d like to buy a Chinese SIM card.

这个套餐包含……吗？ Use this to ask whether a plan includes something.

这个套餐可以打电话吗？ Zhège tàocān kěyǐ dǎ diànhuà ma? Can I make phone calls with this plan?

可以帮我……吗？ Use this to politely ask for help.

可以帮我安装手机卡吗？ Kěyǐ bāng wǒ ānzhuāng shǒujī kǎ ma? Could you help me install the SIM card?

现在可以……了吗？ Use this to check whether something works now.

现在可以上网了吗？ Xiànzài kěyǐ shàngwǎng le ma? Can I use the internet now?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a passport to buy a SIM card in China?

Usually yes, because local SIM cards may require real-name registration. Ask the counter what documents are needed.

Should I test the SIM card before leaving the counter?

Yes. Open mobile data, try loading a website or map, and confirm it works before leaving.

What if mobile data still does not work?

Ask staff to check the settings. Use: 移动数据还是不能用。请帮我检查一下设置。

Can I pay with Alipay or a bank card?

It depends on the counter or shop. Ask before buying: 我可以用支付宝付款吗？ or 我可以用银行卡付款吗？

Step-by-Step: Buying a SIM Card

Step 1: Find the counter

Ask: 请问哪里可以买手机卡？ At airports, look for a SIM card or mobile service counter in the arrivals hall.

Step 2: Choose a plan

Tell staff how many days you need and whether you mainly need data. Ask about data amount and calls.

Step 3: Register with passport

Local SIM cards may require real-name registration. Keep your passport ready and follow staff instructions.

Step 4: Test before leaving

Ask staff to install and activate the SIM. Try mobile data before leaving the counter.

Interactive Scenarios

Buying a SIM card at the airport

  • Traveler我想买一张中国手机卡。

    Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì zhāng Zhōngguó shǒujī kǎ.

    I’d like to buy a Chinese SIM card.

  • Staff请问您需要几天的套餐？

    Qǐngwèn nín xūyào jǐ tiān de tàocān?

    How many days of service do you need?

  • Traveler我需要七天的套餐。

    Wǒ xūyào qī tiān de tàocān.

    I need a seven-day plan.

Asking for setup help

  • Traveler可以帮我安装手机卡吗？

    Kěyǐ bāng wǒ ānzhuāng shǒujī kǎ ma?

    Could you help me install the SIM card?

  • Traveler可以帮我激活吗？

    Kěyǐ bāng wǒ jīhuó ma?

    Could you help me activate it?

  • Traveler现在可以上网了吗？

    Xiànzài kěyǐ shàngwǎng le ma?

    Can I use the internet now?

Mobile data does not work

  • Traveler移动数据还是不能用。

    Yídòng shùjù háishì bù néng yòng.

    Mobile data still does not work.

  • Traveler请帮我检查一下设置。

    Qǐng bāng wǒ jiǎnchá yíxià shèzhì.

    Please help me check the settings.

Mini Quiz

How do you say “I’d like to buy a Chinese SIM card”?
  • 我想买一张中国手机卡。 ✓ Answer
  • 我来旅游。
  • 请问出租车站在哪里？
Which phrase asks about data amount?
  • 这个套餐包含多少流量？ ✓ Answer
  • 这是我的护照。
  • 可以给我一张收据吗？
What document may be needed for real-name registration?
  • 护照 ✓ Answer
  • 菜单
  • 行李牌
Which phrase means “Mobile data still does not work”?
  • 移动数据还是不能用。 ✓ Answer
  • 我需要七天的套餐。
  • 我想买一张中国手机卡。

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