Getting a mobile phone plan is often one of the first essential tasks when settling in Korea. This guide provides the necessary Korean expressions to navigate the process of signing up for a mobile phone plan (휴대폰 요금제 가입), from inquiring at a store to understanding contract details and choosing the right option for your needs.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the fundamental phrase for expressing your intention to sign up for a mobile phone plan.
- Expression: 휴대폰 요금제 가입하기 (hyudaepon yogeumje gaiphagi)
Pronunciation: hyu-dae-pon yo-geum-je ga-ip-ha-gi
Meaning: To sign up for a mobile phone plan
Initial Inquiry at the Store
Use these phrases when you first enter a mobile phone store or approach a staff member.
- Expression: 휴대폰 요금제 가입하고 싶어요. (Hyudaepon yogeumje gaiphago sipeoyo.)
Pronunciation: hyu-dae-pon yo-geum-je ga-ip-ha-go ship-eo-yo
Meaning: I want to sign up for a mobile phone plan. - Expression: 신규 가입하려고 하는데요. (Singyu gaiparyeogo haneundeyo.)
Pronunciation: shin-gyu ga-ip-ha-ryeo-go ha-neun-de-yo
Meaning: I’d like to sign up as a new customer. - Expression: 어떤 요금제가 있나요? (Eotteon yogeumjega innayo?)
Pronunciation: eo-tteon yo-geum-je-ga in-na-yo
Meaning: What kind of plans do you have? - Expression: 외국인도 가입할 수 있나요? (Oegugindo gaiphal su innayo?)
Pronunciation: oe-gu-gin-do ga-ip-hal su in-na-yo
Meaning: Can foreigners also sign up? - Expression: 여기서 휴대폰 개통할 수 있어요? (Yeogiseo hyudaepon gaetonghal su isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo hyu-dae-pon gae-tong-hal su iss-eo-yo
Meaning: Can I activate a mobile phone here? - Expression: 상담 좀 받을 수 있을까요? (Sangdam jom badeul su isseulkkayo?)
Pronunciation: sang-dam jom ba-deul su iss-eul-kka-yo
Meaning: Could I get a consultation? - Expression: 선불 요금제도 있나요? (Seonbul yogeumjedo innayo?)
Pronunciation: seon-bul yo-geum-je-do in-na-yo
Meaning: Do you have prepaid plans too? - Expression: 후불 요금제에 가입하고 싶어요. (Hubul yogeumjee gaiphago sipeoyo.)
Pronunciation: hu-bul yo-geum-je-e ga-ip-ha-go ship-eo-yo
Meaning: I want to sign up for a postpaid plan. - Expression: 번호 이동도 가능한가요? (Beonho idongdo ganeunghangayo?)
Pronunciation: beon-ho i-dong-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo
Meaning: Is number portability possible? (Keeping your old number) - Expression: 통신사를 바꾸고 싶어요. (Tongsin-sareul bakkugo sipeoyo.)
Pronunciation: tong-shin-sa-reul ba-kku-go ship-eo-yo
Meaning: I want to change my mobile carrier. - Expression: 요금제 추천해 주실 수 있나요? (Yogeumje chucheonhae jusil su innayo?)
Pronunciation: yo-geum-je chu-cheon-hae ju-shil su in-na-yo
Meaning: Can you recommend a plan? - Expression: 가장 저렴한 요금제는 뭐예요? (Gajang jeoryeomhan yogeumjeneun mwoyeyo?)
Pronunciation: ga-jang jeo-ryeom-han yo-geum-je-neun mwo-ye-yo
Meaning: What is the cheapest plan?
Discussing Plan Details
These expressions help you ask about specific features and costs of different mobile plans.
- Expression: 이 요금제는 데이터가 얼마나 포함되어 있나요? (I yogeumjeneun deiteoga eolmana pohamdoe-eo innayo?)
Pronunciation: i yo-geum-je-neun de-i-teo-ga eol-ma-na po-ham-doe-eo in-na-yo
Meaning: How much data is included in this plan? - Expression: 통화 시간은 무제한인가요? (Tonghwa siganeun mujehaningayo?)
Pronunciation: tong-hwa shi-gan-eun mu-je-han-in-ga-yo
Meaning: Are the call minutes unlimited? - Expression: 문자 메시지는 몇 건까지 무료예요? (Munja mesijineun myeot kkeonkkaji muryoyeyo?)
Pronunciation: mun-ja me-si-ji-neun myeot kkeon-kka-ji mu-ryo-ye-yo
Meaning: How many text messages are free? - Expression: 월 기본료는 얼마예요? (Wol gibollyoneun eolmayeyo?)
Pronunciation: wol gi-bon-lyo-neun eol-ma-ye-yo
Meaning: How much is the basic monthly fee? - Expression: 약정 기간이 있나요? (Yakjeong gigani innayo?)
Pronunciation: yak-jjeong gi-gan-i in-na-yo
Meaning: Is there a contract period? - Expression: 2년 약정으로 하면 할인이 있나요? (Inyeon yakjeongeuro hamyeon harini innayo?)
Pronunciation: i-nyeon yak-jjeong-eu-ro ha-myeon ha-rin-i in-na-yo
Meaning: Is there a discount for a 2-year contract? - Expression: 위약금은 얼마예요? (Wiyakgeumeun eolmayeyo?)
Pronunciation: wi-yak-geum-eun eol-ma-ye-yo
Meaning: How much is the penalty fee (for early termination)? - Expression: 데이터 무제한 요금제는 없나요? (Deiteo mujehan yogeumjeneun eomnayo?)
Pronunciation: de-i-teo mu-je-han yo-geum-je-neun eom-na-yo
Meaning: Aren’t there any unlimited data plans? - Expression: 국제 전화 요금은 어떻게 되나요? (Gukje jeonhwa yogeumeun eotteoke doenayo?)
Pronunciation: guk-je jeon-hwa yo-geum-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo
Meaning: What are the rates for international calls? - Expression: 가족 결합 할인이 가능한가요? (Gajok gyeolhap harini ganeunghangayo?)
Pronunciation: ga-jok gyeol-hap ha-rin-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo
Meaning: Is a family bundle discount available? - Expression: 데이터 소진 시 속도 제한이 있나요? (Deiteo sojin si sokdo jehani innayo?)
Pronunciation: de-i-teo so-jin shi sok-do je-han-i in-na-yo
Meaning: Is there a speed limit after the data is used up? - Expression: 부가 서비스는 어떤 것들이 있나요? (Buga seobiseuneun eotteon geotdeuri innayo?)
Pronunciation: bu-ga seo-bi-seu-neun eo-tteon geot-deu-ri in-na-yo
Meaning: What kind of additional services are there?
Required Documents and Information
You’ll likely need specific documents to sign up, especially as a foreigner.
- Expression: 가입하려면 뭐가 필요해요? (Gai-pharyeomyeon mwoga piryohaeyo?)
Pronunciation: ga-ip-ha-ryeo-myeon mwo-ga pil-yo-hae-yo
Meaning: What do I need to sign up? - Expression: 신분증이 필요한가요? (Sinbunjeungi piryohangayo?)
Pronunciation: shin-bun-jjeung-i pil-yo-han-ga-yo
Meaning: Do I need an ID card? - Expression: 외국인등록증으로 가입할 수 있나요? (Oegugindeungnokjeungeuro gaiphal su innayo?)
Pronunciation: oe-gu-gin-deung-nok-jjeung-eu-ro ga-ip-hal su in-na-yo
Meaning: Can I sign up with my Alien Registration Card (ARC)? - Expression: 여권만 있어도 되나요? (Yeogwonman isseodo doenayo?)
Pronunciation: yeo-gwon-man iss-eo-do doe-na-yo
Meaning: Is just a passport okay? - Expression: 한국 은행 계좌가 필요해요? (Hanguk eunhaeng gyejwaga piryohaeyo?)
Pronunciation: han-guk eun-haeng gye-jwa-ga pil-yo-hae-yo
Meaning: Do I need a Korean bank account? - Expression: 자동 이체를 신청하고 싶어요. (Jadong ichelereul sincheonghago sipeoyo.)
Pronunciation: ja-dong i-che-reul shin-cheong-ha-go ship-eo-yo
Meaning: I want to apply for automatic withdrawal (direct debit). - Expression: 신용카드로 결제할 수 있나요? (Sinyongkadeuro gyeoljehal su innayo?)
Pronunciation: shin-yong-ka-deu-ro gyeol-je-hal su in-na-yo
Meaning: Can I pay with a credit card? - Expression: 주소 증명이 필요한가요? (Juso jeungmyeongi piryohangayo?)
Pronunciation: ju-so jeung-myeong-i pil-yo-han-ga-yo
Meaning: Do I need proof of address? - Expression: 서류를 작성해야 하나요? (Seoryureul jakseonghaeya hanayo?)
Pronunciation: seo-ryu-reul jak-seong-hae-ya ha-na-yo
Meaning: Do I need to fill out documents? - Expression: 여기에 서명하면 되나요? (Yeogie seomyeonghamyeon doenayo?)
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-e seo-myeong-ha-myeon doe-na-yo
Meaning: Should I sign here? - Expression: 개인정보 제공에 동의해야 하나요? (Gein-jeongbo jegonge donguihaeya hanayo?)
Pronunciation: ge-in-jeong-bo je-gong-e dong-ui-hae-ya ha-na-yo
Meaning: Do I need to consent to providing personal information? - Expression: 계약서를 받을 수 있을까요? (Gyeyakseoreul badeul su isseulkkayo?)
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo-reul ba-deul su iss-eul-kka-yo
Meaning: Can I receive a copy of the contract?
Completing the Sign-Up Process
Final steps and questions before leaving the store.
- Expression: 언제부터 사용할 수 있나요? (Eonjebuteo sayonghal su innayo?)
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo sa-yong-hal su in-na-yo
Meaning: When can I start using it? - Expression: 개통까지 얼마나 걸려요? (Gaetongkkaji eolmana geollyeoyo?)
Pronunciation: gae-tong-kka-ji eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo
Meaning: How long does activation take? - Expression: 유심 카드는 얼마예요? (Yusim kadeuneun eolmayeyo?)
Pronunciation: yu-shim ka-deu-neun eol-ma-ye-yo
Meaning: How much is the SIM card? - Expression: 유심 카드를 넣어주실 수 있나요? (Yusim kadeureul neoeo jusil su innayo?)
Pronunciation: yu-shim ka-deu-reul neo-eo ju-shil su in-na-yo
Meaning: Could you insert the SIM card for me? - Expression: 제 휴대폰에 이 유심이 맞나요? (Je hyudaepone i yusimi mannayo?)
Pronunciation: je hyu-dae-pon-e i yu-shim-i man-na-yo
Meaning: Does this SIM card fit my phone? - Expression: 와이파이는 어떻게 연결해요? (Waipaineun eotteoke yeongyeolhaeyo?)
Pronunciation: wa-i-pa-i-neun eo-tteo-ke yeon-gyeol-hae-yo
Meaning: How do I connect to Wi-Fi? (Often related to carrier Wi-Fi) - Expression: 고객센터 전화번호가 뭐예요? (Gogaekssenteo jeonhwabeonhoga mwoyeyo?)
Pronunciation: go-gaek-ssen-teo jeon-hwa-beon-ho-ga mwo-ye-yo
Meaning: What is the customer service phone number? - Expression: 앱으로 요금을 확인할 수 있나요? (Aebeuro yogeumeul hwaginal su innayo?)
Pronunciation: ae-beu-ro yo-geum-eul hwa-gin-hal su in-na-yo
Meaning: Can I check my bill with an app? - Expression: 다 된 건가요? (Da doen geongayo?)
Pronunciation: da doen geon-ga-yo
Meaning: Is everything finished? - Expression: 감사합니다. (Gamsahamnida.)
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da
Meaning: Thank you. - Expression: 도움이 필요하면 다시 와도 되나요? (Doumi piryohamyeon dasi wado doenayo?)
Pronunciation: do-um-i pil-yo-ha-myeon da-shi wa-do doe-na-yo
Meaning: Can I come back if I need help? - Expression: 명함 한 장 주시겠어요? (Myeongham han jang jusigesseoyo?)
Pronunciation: myeong-ham han jang ju-shi-gess-eo-yo
Meaning: Could you give me a business card?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these points can make the process smoother.
- Alien Registration Card (ARC) is Key: For postpaid plans (후불 요금제) and contracts (약정), foreigners usually need a valid Alien Registration Card (외국인등록증). Short-term visitors might be limited to prepaid SIMs (선불 유심).
- Contracts are Common: 2-year contracts (2년 약정) are very common and often come with phone subsidies or plan discounts. Breaking a contract early usually involves penalty fees (위약금).
- Identification is Strict: Be prepared to show your ARC and possibly your passport. The name on your bank account (if setting up auto-pay) must exactly match the name on your ARC.
- Carrier Competition: Korea has three major carriers (SKT, KT, LG U+). They are competitive, so asking about current promotions (프로모션) or discounts (할인) is worthwhile. There are also MVNOs (알뜰폰) offering cheaper plans using the major networks.
- Bundled Services: Carriers often offer discounts for bundling services like mobile phone, internet, and TV (결합 할인). If you need home internet too, ask about bundle options.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A foreigner (Alex) goes to a mobile phone store to sign up for a postpaid plan. Roles: A: Alex (Customer), B: Store Staff (직원 – Jigwon)
- Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 휴대폰 요금제 가입하고 싶어요. (Annyeonghaseyo. Hyudaepon yogeumje gaiphago sipeoyo.)
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. hyu-dae-pon yo-geum-je ga-ip-ha-go ship-eo-yo
Meaning: Hello. I want to sign up for a mobile phone plan. - Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 신규 가입이신가요? (Ne, eoseo oseyo. Singyu gaibisingayo?)
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. shin-gyu ga-ib-i-shin-ga-yo
Meaning: Yes, welcome. Are you signing up as a new customer? - Expression: A: 네, 맞아요. 외국인인데, 가입할 수 있나요? (Ne, majayo. Oegugininde, gaiphal su innayo?)
Pronunciation: ne, ma-ja-yo. oe-gu-gin-in-de, ga-ip-hal su in-na-yo
Meaning: Yes, that’s right. I’m a foreigner, can I sign up? - Expression: B: 네, 그럼요. 외국인등록증 있으신가요? (Ne, geureomnyo. Oegugindeungnokjeung isseusingayo?)
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reom-nyo. oe-gu-gin-deung-nok-jjeung iss-eu-shin-ga-yo
Meaning: Yes, of course. Do you have your Alien Registration Card? - Expression: A: 네, 여기 있어요. 어떤 요금제가 좋을까요? 데이터는 한 달에 10기가 정도 필요해요. (Ne, yeogi isseoyo. Eotteon yogeumjega joeulkkayo? Deiteoneun han dare sip-giga jeongdo piryohaeyo.)
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi iss-eo-yo. eo-tteon yo-geum-je-ga jo-eul-kka-yo? de-i-teo-neun han dar-e ship-gi-ga jeong-do pil-yo-hae-yo
Meaning: Yes, here it is. What kind of plan would be good? I need about 10GB of data per month. - Expression: B: 아, 그러시면 이 5G 스탠다드 요금제가 적당하실 것 같아요. 월 7만원에 데이터 110기가 제공되고, 소진 시에는 속도 제한으로 계속 사용 가능합니다. (A, geureosimyeon i 5G seutaendeodeu yogeumjega jeokdanghasil geot gatayo. Wol chil-man-won-e deiteo baek-sip-giga jegongdoego, sojin si-eneun sokdo jehaneuro gyesok sayong ganeunghamnida.)
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-shi-myeon i pa-i-beu-ji seu-taen-deo-deu yo-geum-je-ga jeok-dang-ha-shil geot ga-ta-yo. wol chil-man-won-e de-i-teo baek-ship-gi-ga je-gong-doe-go, so-jin shi-e-neun sok-do je-han-eu-ro gye-sok sa-yong ga-neung-ham-ni-da
Meaning: Ah, in that case, this 5G Standard plan seems suitable. It’s 70,000 won per month, provides 110GB of data, and after using it up, you can continue using it with a speed limit. - Expression: A: 괜찮네요. 약정 기간이 있나요? (Gwaenchannneyo. Yakjeong gigani innayo?)
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-ne-yo. yak-jjeong gi-gan-i in-na-yo
Meaning: That sounds good. Is there a contract period? - Expression: B: 네, 보통 2년 약정으로 많이 하세요. 약정하시면 월 요금 할인이 적용됩니다. 괜찮으시겠어요? (Ne, botong inyeon yakjeongeuro mani haseyo. Yakjeonghasimyeon wol yogeum harini jeogyongdoemnida. Gwaenchaneusigesseoyo?)
Pronunciation: ne, bo-tong i-nyeon yak-jjeong-eu-ro ma-ni ha-se-yo. yak-jjeong-ha-shi-myeon wol yo-geum ha-rin-i jeo-gyong-doem-ni-da. gwaen-chan-eu-shi-gess-eo-yo
Meaning: Yes, people usually sign up for a 2-year contract. If you sign a contract, a monthly discount is applied. Would that be okay? - Expression: A: 네, 좋아요. 그럼 이걸로 할게요. (Ne, joayo. Geureom igeollo halgeyo.)
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. geu-reom i-geol-lo hal-ge-yo
Meaning: Yes, that’s fine. I’ll go with this one then. - Expression: B: 네, 그럼 이 서류 작성해 주시고, 신분증 잠시 복사하겠습니다. 결제는 어떻게 하시겠어요? 자동이체 가능하신가요? (Ne, geureom i seoryu jakseonghae jusigo, sinbunjeung jamsi boksa-hagetseumnida. Gyeoljeneun eotteoke hasigesseoyo? Jadongiche ganeunghasingayo?)
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reom i seo-ryu jak-seong-hae ju-shi-go, shin-bun-jjeung jam-shi bok-sa-ha-get-seum-ni-da. gyeol-je-neun eo-tteo-ke ha-shi-gess-eo-yo? ja-dong-i-che ga-neung-ha-shin-ga-yo
Meaning: Okay, then please fill out this form, and I’ll copy your ID card briefly. How would you like to pay? Is automatic withdrawal possible? - Expression: A: 네, 한국 은행 계좌 있어요. 자동이체로 할게요. (Ne, hanguk eunhaeng gyejwa isseoyo. Jadongichero halgeyo.)
Pronunciation: ne, han-guk eun-haeng gye-jwa iss-eo-yo. ja-dong-i-che-ro hal-ge-yo
Meaning: Yes, I have a Korean bank account. I’ll do automatic withdrawal.
Practice Tips
Signing up for a phone plan involves specific vocabulary, so practice is key~! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner. Review the plan details (요금제 정보) and required documents (필요 서류) beforehand. Don’t hesitate to ask questions using phrases like “다시 한번 설명해 주시겠어요?” (Could you explain that again?) or “이해가 잘 안 돼요.” (I don’t quite understand). Getting your phone set up is a big step, so be prepared and confident! 화이팅! (Fighting!)
