Staying connected while traveling in Korea is essential, and getting a local SIM card is usually the most convenient option. This guide provides the necessary Korean phrases and vocabulary for purchasing a SIM card (유심 카드 – yusim kadeu), whether at the airport, a convenience store, or a telecom shop. Learn how to ask for different plans, inquire about prices, and get assistance with activation.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 유심 카드 구매하기
Pronunciation: yu-sim ka-deu gu-mae-ha-gi
Meaning: Buying a SIM card / How to buy a SIM card
Essential Vocabulary
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Expression: 유심 카드 (or 유심)
Pronunciation: yu-sim ka-deu (or yu-sim)
Meaning: SIM card -
Expression: 선불 유심
Pronunciation: seon-bul yu-sim
Meaning: Prepaid SIM -
Expression: 후불 유심
Pronunciation: hu-bul yu-sim
Meaning: Postpaid SIM (usually requires residency) -
Expression: 데이터
Pronunciation: de-i-teo
Meaning: Data -
Expression: 통화
Pronunciation: tong-hwa
Meaning: Voice calls -
Expression: 문자
Pronunciation: mun-ja
Meaning: Text messages (SMS) -
Expression: 요금제
Pronunciation: yo-geum-je
Meaning: Price plan / Rate plan -
Expression: 충전
Pronunciation: chung-jeon
Meaning: Top-up / Recharge -
Expression: 개통
Pronunciation: gae-tong
Meaning: Activation -
Expression: 여권
Pronunciation: yeo-gwon
Meaning: Passport -
Expression: 스마트폰 (or 핸드폰)
Pronunciation: seu-ma-teu-pon (or haen-deu-pon)
Meaning: Smartphone (or Handphone/Mobile phone) -
Expression: 가격
Pronunciation: ga-gyeok
Meaning: Price
Asking About SIM Cards
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Expression: 유심 카드 어디서 살 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: yu-sim ka-deu eo-di-seo sal su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where can I buy a SIM card? -
Expression: 선불 유심 카드 있어요?
Pronunciation: seon-bul yu-sim ka-deu i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have prepaid SIM cards? -
Expression: 어떤 요금제가 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon yo-geum-je-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of plans do you have? -
Expression: 데이터 무제한 요금제 있어요?
Pronunciation: de-i-teo mu-je-han yo-geum-je i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have an unlimited data plan? -
Expression: 이 유심은 얼마 동안 사용할 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: i yu-si-meun eol-ma dong-an sa-yong-hal su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: How long can I use this SIM card for? (Validity period) -
Expression: 가격이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: ga-gyeo-gi eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How much does it cost? -
Expression: 이 유심은 제 핸드폰에 맞을까요?
Pronunciation: i yu-si-meun je haen-deu-po-ne ma-jeul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will this SIM card fit my phone? -
Expression: 외국인도 구매할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: oe-gu-gin-do gu-mae-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can foreigners buy this too? -
Expression: 데이터 전용 유심 카드 있나요?
Pronunciation: de-i-teo jeon-yong yu-sim ka-deu in-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have data-only SIM cards? -
Expression: 통화랑 문자도 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: tong-hwa-rang mun-ja-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are calls and texts also possible? -
Expression: 추천해 주실 만한 요금제가 있나요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-sil man-han yo-geum-je-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a plan you would recommend?
Making the Purchase
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Expression: 이걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me this one. -
Expression: 30일짜리 데이터 무제한 유심 주세요.
Pronunciation: sam-sip-il-jja-ri de-i-teo mu-je-han yu-sim ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the 30-day unlimited data SIM. -
Expression: 여권 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-gwon yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Here is my passport. -
Expression: 유심 카드 설치 좀 도와주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: yu-sim ka-deu seol-chi jom do-wa-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please help me install the SIM card? -
Expression: 개통은 어떻게 하나요?
Pronunciation: gae-tong-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I activate it? -
Expression: 바로 사용할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ba-ro sa-yong-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I use it right away? -
Expression: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the receipt. -
Expression: 이 요금제로 할게요.
Pronunciation: i yo-geum-je-ro hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll take this plan. -
Expression: 설정 좀 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: seol-jeong jom do-wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please help me with the settings.
Troubleshooting and Questions
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Expression: 개통하는 데 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: gae-tong-ha-neun de eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does activation take? -
Expression: 데이터가 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: de-i-teo-ga an dwae-yo.
Meaning: The data isn’t working. -
Expression: 인터넷 연결이 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: in-teo-net yeon-gyeol-i an dwae-yo.
Meaning: The internet connection isn’t working. -
Expression: 데이터 사용량은 어떻게 확인해요?
Pronunciation: de-i-teo sa-yong-nyang-eun eo-tteo-ke hwa-gin-hae-yo?
Meaning: How can I check my data usage? -
Expression: 데이터 충전은 어디서 할 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: de-i-teo chung-jeon-eun eo-di-seo hal su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where can I top up data? -
Expression: 고객센터 전화번호가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: go-gaek-sen-teo jeon-hwa-beon-ho-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the customer service phone number? -
Expression: 유효 기간이 언제까지예요?
Pronunciation: yu-hyo gi-gan-i eon-je-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: Until when is it valid? -
Expression: 다른 나라에서도 사용할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun na-ra-e-seo-do sa-yong-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I use this in other countries too? (Is roaming available?) -
Expression: 와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: wa-i-pa-i bi-mil-beon-ho-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the Wi-Fi password? (If asking at the store) -
Expression: 핸드폰을 재부팅해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: haen-deu-po-neul jae-bu-ting-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to reboot the phone?
Korean Culture Notes
Where to Buy: SIM cards are readily available for tourists in Korea. You can purchase them right at Incheon International Airport (ICN) upon arrival from counters operated by major telecom providers (KT, SKT, LG U+) or resellers. They are also sold at many convenience stores (편의점 – pyeo-nui-jeom) like CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven, as well as dedicated telecom stores in cities.
Identification Required: As a foreigner purchasing a prepaid SIM card, you will almost always be required to show your passport for registration. Make sure to have it handy when you go to buy one.
Prepaid is Key: Tourists typically purchase prepaid (선불 – seon-bul) SIM cards. These come with a set amount of data, call time, and text messages, often valid for a specific period (e.g., 5 days, 10 days, 30 days). Postpaid (후불 – hu-bul) plans usually require Korean residency and a local bank account.
Data Focus: Many tourist SIM plans focus heavily on data, often offering unlimited data (sometimes with speed throttling after a certain usage). Voice calls and texts might be limited or require separate top-ups, so check the plan details based on your needs.
Activation Help: Store staff, especially at the airport or official telecom stores, are usually helpful and can assist with installing the SIM card and ensuring it’s activated correctly in your phone. Don’t hesitate to ask for help using phrases like 설치 좀 도와주세요 (seol-chi jom do-wa-ju-se-yo – Please help me install it).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) approaches a counter at the airport telecom store to buy a SIM card from the clerk (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 선불 유심 카드 사고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, seon-bul yu-sim ka-deu sa-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I’d like to buy a prepaid SIM card. -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. 어떤 요금제를 원하세요? 데이터 위주로 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. eo-tteon yo-geum-je-reul won-ha-se-yo? de-i-teo wi-ju-ro deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, hello. What kind of plan would you like? Shall I give you one focused on data? -
Expression: A: 네, 데이터 무제한으로 10일 정도 사용할 거예요.
Pronunciation: ne, de-i-teo mu-je-han-eu-ro sip-il jeong-do sa-yong-hal geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’ll be using it for about 10 days with unlimited data. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 10일 데이터 무제한 요금제는 35,000원입니다. 여권 좀 보여주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. sip-il de-i-teo mu-je-han yo-geum-je-neun sam-man-o-cheon-won-im-ni-da. yeo-gwon jom bo-yeo-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Okay. The 10-day unlimited data plan is 35,000 won. Could I please see your passport? -
Expression: A: 네, 여기 있습니다. 혹시 설치도 도와주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da. hok-si seol-chi-do do-wa-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Yes, here it is. Could you possibly help with the installation too? -
Expression: B: 그럼요. 핸드폰 주세요. 바로 개통해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom-nyo. haen-deu-pon ju-se-yo. ba-ro gae-tong-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Of course. Please give me your phone. I’ll activate it for you right away. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다! 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da! ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Thank you! I’ll pay by card.
Practice Tips
Buying a SIM card is often one of the first interactions you’ll have in Korea, so practicing these phrases beforehand is super helpful! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or even just saying the phrases aloud. Focus on pronouncing the key terms like 유심 카드 (yu-sim ka-deu), 데이터 (de-i-teo), and 얼마예요? (eol-ma-ye-yo? – How much is it?) clearly. When you arrive, don’t be afraid to use the phrases you’ve learned~ The staff are used to helping foreigners and will appreciate your effort! Good luck! 화이팅!
