How to get a SIM card and bank card in Chinese
You are at a China Mobile store in Shanghai. You want to get a SIM card, and then you'll go to a bank to open an account.
How the conversation starts
李小姐 (Ms. Li) · China Mobile store clerk
Get a SIM card and bank card
What you do
- Say you want to buy a SIM card
- Provide your passport for registration
- Ask where to get a bank card
What to say
- 我要买一张手机卡。Wǒ yào mǎi yì zhāng shǒujī kǎ.I want to buy a SIM card.
- 这是我的护照。Zhè shì wǒ de hùzhào.This is my passport.
- 银行在哪里？Yínháng zài nǎlǐ?Where is the bank?
- 谢谢！Xièxie!Thank you!
Get a SIM card and bank card
You're at a China Mobile store in Beijing to get a prepaid SIM card. After that, you'll go to a nearby bank to open a basic account. You need your passport for both. You'll pay with cash or by scanning a QR code.
What you do
- Say you want a prepaid SIM card
- Choose a data plan
- Ask where the nearest bank is
What to say
- 我想办一张电话卡。Wǒ xiǎng bàn yì zhāng diànhuà kǎ.I want to get a SIM card.
3 more sentences in this lesson, in the app.
SIM card: a smaller plan and Hong Kong
You're at a mobile phone shop in Beijing to get a SIM card with your passport. You mostly use data and rarely call, so you don't need a big plan. Next month you're going to Hong Kong for a few days.
What you do
- Get a SIM card with your passport
- She recommends a big plan: say what you need and ask for a cheaper one
- You're going to Hong Kong next month: ask about using the card there
What to say
- 你好，我想办一张手机卡，这是我的护照。Nǐ hǎo, wǒ xiǎng bàn yì zhāng shǒujīkǎ, zhè shì wǒ de hùzhào.Hi, I'd like a SIM card. Here's my passport.
4 more sentences in this lesson, in the app.
Now say it out loud
In Kaiko, 李小姐 (Ms. Li) answers you out loud in Chinese, and a coach corrects you as you go.