Chinese for Travel
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Unit 2 · SIM & internet Lesson 14 6 min Premium in the app

eSIM and phone compatibility in Chinese

Ask whether eSIM is available, whether your phone supports it, and what to do if it does not work. A phone shop in Tianhe, Guangzhou. Your phone has no SIM slot, so it's eSIM or nothing.

手机

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.

  • 请问有 eSIM 吗？

    Qǐngwèn yǒu eSIM ma?

    Excuse me, do you have eSIM?

  • 我的手机没有实体卡槽。

    Wǒ de shǒujī méiyǒu shítǐ kǎ cáo.

    My phone does not have a physical SIM slot.

    • 我Wǒ
    • 的de
    • 手机shǒujī
    • 没有méiyǒu
    • 实体shítǐ
    • 卡kǎ
    • 槽cáo

  • 我不确定我的手机是不是无锁机。

    Wǒ bù quèdìng wǒ de shǒujī shì bú shì wúsuǒ jī.

    I’m not sure if my phone is unlocked.

    • 我Wǒ
    • 不bù
    • 确定quèdìng
    • 我wǒ
    • 的de
    • 手机shǒujī
    • 是shì
    • 不bú
    • 是shì
    • 无锁wúsuǒ
    • 机jī

  • 我扫不了这个二维码。

    Wǒ sǎo bù liǎo zhège èrwéimǎ.

    I can’t scan this QR code.

    • 我Wǒ
    • 扫sǎo
    • 不bù
    • 了liǎo
    • 这个zhège
    • 二维码èrwéimǎ

  • 可以帮我手动设置吗？

    Kěyǐ bāng wǒ shǒudòng shèzhì ma?

    Could you help me set it up manually?

    • 可以Kěyǐ
    • 帮bāng
    • 我wǒ
    • 手动shǒudòng
    • 设置shèzhì
    • 吗ma

  • 数据漫游也需要打开吗？

    Shùjù mànyóu yě xūyào dǎkāi ma?

    Do I also need to turn on data roaming?

    • 数据Shùjù
    • 漫游mànyóu
    • 也yě
    • 需要xūyào
    • 打开dǎkāi
    • 吗ma

More phrases for this situation

Every other phrase from the lesson: 16 in all.

  • 目前这里只有实体手机卡。

    Mùqián zhèlǐ zhǐ yǒu shítǐ shǒujī kǎ.

    Currently, we only have physical SIM cards here.

  • 我的手机支持 eSIM。

    Wǒ de shǒujī zhīchí eSIM.

    My phone supports eSIM.

  • 我的手机可以用中国的手机卡吗？

    Wǒ de shǒujī kěyǐ yòng Zhōngguó de shǒujī kǎ ma?

    Can my phone use a Chinese SIM card?

  • 请问您的手机是无锁机吗？

    Qǐngwèn nín de shǒujī shì wúsuǒ jī ma?

    Is your phone unlocked?

  • 我的手机是无锁机。

    Wǒ de shǒujī shì wúsuǒ jī.

    My phone is unlocked.

  • 可以帮我看一下吗？

    Kěyǐ bāng wǒ kàn yíxià ma?

    Could you please check it for me?

  • 请问可以先测试一下吗？

    Qǐngwèn kěyǐ xiān cèshì yíxià ma?

    Can we test it first?

  • 如果不能用，可以退款吗？

    Rúguǒ bù néng yòng, kěyǐ tuìkuǎn ma?

    If it does not work, can I get a refund?

  • 请扫描这个二维码激活。

    Qǐng sǎomiáo zhège èrwéimǎ jīhuó.

    Please scan this QR code to activate it.

  • 我已经安装了 eSIM，但不能上网。

    Wǒ yǐjīng ānzhuāng le eSIM, dàn bù néng shàngwǎng.

    I have installed the eSIM, but I can’t use the internet.

  • 请帮我检查一下设置。

    Qǐng bāng wǒ jiǎnchá yíxià shèzhì.

    Please help me check the settings.

  • 请打开移动数据和数据漫游。

    Qǐng dǎkāi yídòng shùjù hé shùjù mànyóu.

    Please turn on mobile data and data roaming.

  • 移动数据已经打开了。

    Yídòng shùjù yǐjīng dǎkāi le.

    Mobile data is already turned on.

  • 现在可以上网了吗？

    Xiànzài kěyǐ shàngwǎng le ma?

    Can I use the internet now?

  • 如果 eSIM 不能用，我可以买实体卡吗？

    Rúguǒ eSIM bù néng yòng, wǒ kěyǐ mǎi shítǐ kǎ ma?

    If eSIM does not work, can I buy a physical SIM card?

  • 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

    数据漫游打开了吗？

    Shùjù mànyóu dǎkāi le ma?

    Have you turned on data roaming?

    You

    数据漫游也需要打开吗？

    Shùjù mànyóu yě xūyào dǎkāi ma?

    Do I also need to turn on data roaming?

  2. Staff

    有信号了，您试试。

    Yǒu xìnhào le, nín shìshi.

    You've got signal now. Try it.

    You

    现在可以上网了吗？

    Xiànzài kěyǐ shàngwǎng le ma?

    Can I use the internet now?

Play the scene

A phone shop in Tianhe, Guangzhou. Your phone has no SIM slot, so it's eSIM or nothing.

广州·天河 · Tianhe, Guangzhou

  1. Staff

    您好，买卡还是充值？

    Nín hǎo, mǎi kǎ háishi chōngzhí?

    Hello — buying a SIM or topping up?

  2. You

    请问有 eSIM 吗？

    Qǐngwèn yǒu eSIM ma?

    Excuse me, do you have eSIM?

  3. Traveler

    请问您的手机是无锁机吗？

    Qǐngwèn nín de shǒujī shì wúsuǒ jī ma?

    Is your phone unlocked?

  4. You

    我不确定我的手机是不是无锁机。

    Wǒ bù quèdìng wǒ de shǒujī shì bú shì wúsuǒ jī.

    I’m not sure if my phone is unlocked.

  5. Traveler

    请扫描这个二维码激活。

    Qǐng sǎomiáo zhège èrwéimǎ jīhuó.

    Please scan this QR code to activate it.

  6. You

    我扫不了这个二维码。

    Wǒ sǎo bù liǎo zhège èrwéimǎ.

    I can’t scan this QR code.

  7. Staff

    那我帮您手动装一下。

    Nà wǒ bāng nín shǒudòng zhuāng yíxià.

    Then I'll install it for you by hand.

Culture tip

Is your phone unlocked?

If your phone is carrier-locked, a Chinese SIM or eSIM may not work. If unsure, say: 我不确定我的手机是不是无锁机。

What might need to be turned on for some travel eSIMs?

Show the answer

数据漫游

Go deeper

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

Key Terms

eSIM A digital SIM that can be installed on supported phones without a physical SIM card. Availability depends on the provider and location.

请问有 eSIM 吗？ Qǐngwèn yǒu eSIM ma? Excuse me, do you have eSIM?

实体手机卡 A physical SIM card that you insert into your phone’s SIM slot.

目前这里只有实体手机卡。 Mùqián zhèlǐ zhǐ yǒu shítǐ shǒujī kǎ. Currently, we only have physical SIM cards here.

无锁机 An unlocked phone that can use SIM cards from different carriers. A locked phone may only work with one carrier.

我的手机是无锁机。 Wǒ de shǒujī shì wúsuǒ jī. My phone is unlocked.

二维码激活 Using a QR code to install or activate an eSIM profile.

请扫描这个二维码激活。 Qǐng sǎomiáo zhège èrwéimǎ jīhuó. Please scan this QR code to activate it.

数据漫游 Data roaming. Some eSIMs or travel data plans require roaming to be turned on to connect to a local partner network.

数据漫游也需要打开吗？ Shùjù mànyóu yě xūyào dǎkāi ma? Do I also need to turn on data roaming?

What to Check First

Does the shop offer eSIM?

Not every airport counter or mobile shop offers eSIM. Ask directly: 请问有 eSIM 吗？

Does your phone support eSIM?

Check your phone settings or model information. You can say: 我的手机支持 eSIM。 or 我的手机没有实体卡槽。

Is your phone unlocked?

If your phone is carrier-locked, a Chinese SIM or eSIM may not work. If unsure, say: 我不确定我的手机是不是无锁机。

Can you test before paying?

If possible, ask to test before payment or confirm the refund policy if it does not work.

Useful Question Patterns

我的手机…… Use this to explain your phone situation.

我的手机支持 eSIM。 Wǒ de shǒujī zhīchí eSIM. My phone supports eSIM.

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

可以帮我手动设置吗？ Kěyǐ bāng wǒ shǒudòng shèzhì ma? Could you help me set it up manually?

如果……，可以……吗？ Use this to ask what is possible if something happens.

如果不能用，可以退款吗？ Rúguǒ bù néng yòng, kěyǐ tuìkuǎn ma? If it does not work, can I get a refund?

已经……但不能…… Use this to explain that you already did something, but it still does not work.

我已经安装了 eSIM，但不能上网。 Wǒ yǐjīng ānzhuāng le eSIM, dàn bù néng shàngwǎng. I have installed the eSIM, but I can’t use the internet.

Troubleshooting Checklist

Step 1: Confirm installation

Check whether the eSIM profile appears in your phone’s cellular settings.

Step 2: Turn on mobile data

Make sure mobile data is enabled and the correct SIM or eSIM is selected for data.

Step 3: Check data roaming

Some travel eSIMs require data roaming. Ask staff before turning it on if you are unsure.

Step 4: Restart the phone

After installation or activation, restarting the phone may help the network connect.

Step 5: Ask staff to check settings

Use: 请帮我检查一下设置。 This is useful if you cannot find the correct settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all Chinese SIM counters sell eSIM?

No. Availability depends on the provider, city, airport, and shop. Ask directly before relying on it.

What if my phone has no physical SIM slot?

Tell staff: 我的手机没有实体卡槽。 Ask whether eSIM is available. If not, you may need another internet option such as Wi-Fi or a travel eSIM from another provider.

Why does staff ask if my phone is unlocked?

A carrier-locked phone may not accept a SIM or eSIM from another provider. If unsure, ask staff to check or contact your original carrier.

Should I turn on data roaming for an eSIM?

Some travel eSIMs require data roaming, but not all plans work the same way. Ask staff or check the eSIM instructions.

Interactive Scenarios

Asking whether eSIM is available

  • Traveler请问有 eSIM 吗？

    Qǐngwèn yǒu eSIM ma?

    Excuse me, do you have eSIM?

  • Traveler我的手机支持 eSIM。

    Wǒ de shǒujī zhīchí eSIM.

    My phone supports eSIM.

Checking phone compatibility

  • Traveler我的手机可以用中国的手机卡吗？

    Wǒ de shǒujī kěyǐ yòng Zhōngguó de shǒujī kǎ ma?

    Can my phone use a Chinese SIM card?

  • Traveler我不确定我的手机是不是无锁机。

    Wǒ bù quèdìng wǒ de shǒujī shì bú shì wúsuǒ jī.

    I’m not sure if my phone is unlocked.

  • Traveler可以帮我看一下吗？

    Kěyǐ bāng wǒ kàn yíxià ma?

    Could you please check it for me?

eSIM installed but internet does not work

  • Traveler我已经安装了 eSIM，但不能上网。

    Wǒ yǐjīng ānzhuāng le eSIM, dàn bù néng shàngwǎng.

    I have installed the eSIM, but I can’t use the internet.

  • Traveler请帮我检查一下设置。

    Qǐng bāng wǒ jiǎnchá yíxià shèzhì.

    Please help me check the settings.

  • Traveler数据漫游也需要打开吗？

    Shùjù mànyóu yě xūyào dǎkāi ma?

    Do I also need to turn on data roaming?

Mini Quiz

How do you ask “Do you have eSIM?” in Chinese?
  • 请问有 eSIM 吗？ ✓ Answer
  • 请问出口在哪里？
  • 我来旅游。
Which phrase means “My phone does not have a physical SIM slot”?
  • 我的手机没有实体卡槽。 ✓ Answer
  • 我的手机是无锁机。
  • 我需要七天的套餐。
Which phrase is useful if you cannot scan a QR code?
  • 我扫不了这个二维码。 ✓ Answer
  • 这个套餐多少钱？
  • 请问洗手间在哪里？
What might need to be turned on for some travel eSIMs?
  • 数据漫游 ✓ Answer
  • 行李牌
  • 护照检查

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