German for buying a local SIM card with data
Learn to ask for a prepaid SIM card with data in German, understand plan questions, and complete a phone shop purchase at elementary level.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
Buying a SIM card in Germany is a practical, high-value conversation. You will usually speak with a shop assistant in a mobile phone store or supermarket. The key is to say clearly that you need a prepaid SIM card with data, then answer simple questions about how much data and how long you want it. This lesson gives you the exact phrases and a short dialogue so you can complete the purchase without switching to English.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a prepaid SIM card with data in German.
- understand and answer simple questions about data amount and contract type.
- ask how much a plan costs and whether it is prepaid or monthly.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich brauche eine SIM-Karte mit Datenvolumen.
I need a SIM card with data.
ikh BRAU-khuh EYE-nuh SIM-kar-tuh mit DAH-tun-vo-loo-men
The core request. Use brauche for 'need' and Datenvolumen for mobile data. In everyday speech, many people shorten it to mit Daten.
Haben Sie Prepaid-SIM-Karten?
Do you have prepaid SIM cards?
HAH-ben zee PREE-payt SIM-kar-ten
Prepaid is common in Germany. The stress is on PREE-payt. This asks about the product type before discussing details.
Wie viel Datenvolumen ist inklusive?
How much data is included?
vee feel DAH-tun-vo-loo-men ist in-kloo-ZEE-vuh
Use this to compare plans. Inklusive means 'included'. The answer is often a number of gigabytes, for example 5 GB.
Was kostet der Tarif pro Monat?
How much does the plan cost per month?
vas KOS-tut dair tah-REEF pro MOH-nat
Tarif means 'plan' or 'rate plan'. Use this for monthly contracts. For prepaid, you can also ask Was kostet die SIM-Karte?
Ich möchte eine Prepaid-Karte mit 10 GB, bitte.
I would like a prepaid card with 10 GB, please.
ikh MURKH-tuh EYE-nuh PREE-payt-kar-tuh mit tseyn GEE-gah-byt, BIT-tuh
A complete purchase request. Möchte is polite and common. Say the number clearly; 10 GB is usually understood as zehn Gigabyte.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Use Ich brauche ... for a direct need and Ich möchte ... for a polite request. Both work in a shop. Examples: Ich brauche eine SIM-Karte mit Datenvolumen. Ich möchte eine Prepaid-Karte mit 10 GB. To ask about a plan, use Was kostet ...? For example: Was kostet der Tarif pro Monat? The verb comes second in a statement and first in a yes/no question: Haben Sie Prepaid-Karten?
When to use it
Start with Ich brauche eine SIM-Karte mit Datenvolumen. The assistant may ask: Prepaid oder Vertrag? Answer Prepaid, bitte or Vertrag, bitte. If they ask Wie viel Datenvolumen brauchen Sie?, answer with a number: 5 GB, bitte. If you want a monthly plan, say Ich möchte einen Vertrag. Use Prepaid for a card you top up; use Vertrag for a contract with monthly bills.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, ich brauche eine SIM-Karte mit Datenvolumen.
Hello, I need a SIM card with data.GOO-ten tahk, ikh BRAU-khuh EYE-nuh SIM-kar-tuh mit DAH-tun-vo-loo-menMöchten Sie Prepaid oder einen Vertrag?
Would you like prepaid or a contract?MURKH-ten zee PREE-payt oh-der EYE-nen fair-TRAHKPrepaid, bitte. Wie viel Datenvolumen ist inklusive?
Prepaid, please. How much data is included?PREE-payt, BIT-tuh. vee feel DAH-tun-vo-loo-men ist in-kloo-ZEE-vuhDiese Karte hat 10 GB für 15 Euro pro Monat.
This card has 10 GB for 15 euros per month.DEE-zuh KAR-tuh hat tseyn GEE-gah-byt fuer FUMF-tsayn OY-roh pro MOH-natA little context goes a long way
In Germany, prepaid SIM cards are widely available and often require identification, so bring your passport or ID. The word Handy means mobile phone, not 'handy'. In Austria and Switzerland, similar terms are used, but prices and providers differ. Use Sie with staff unless the setting is clearly informal.
One thing to watch for
Using Ich will eine SIM-Karte instead of Ich brauche or Ich möchte.
Try this instead: Ich will can sound demanding in a shop. Say Ich brauche eine SIM-Karte mit Datenvolumen or Ich möchte eine Prepaid-Karte, bitte. Both are natural and polite.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I need a SIM card with data' in German?
Show a sample answer
Ich brauche eine SIM-Karte mit Datenvolumen.
This uses brauche for 'need' and Datenvolumen for mobile data. You can also say mit Daten in casual speech.
2The assistant asks: Prepaid oder Vertrag? You want prepaid. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Prepaid, bitte.
This directly answers the choice. You could also say Ich möchte Prepaid, bitte.
3Ask how much data is included.
Show a sample answer
Wie viel Datenvolumen ist inklusive?
This asks about included data. Another valid question is Wie viel Datenvolumen ist dabei?
Say Ich brauche eine SIM-Karte mit Datenvolumen, then answer Prepaid or Vertrag and give a data amount. Ask Wie viel Datenvolumen ist inklusive? and Was kostet der Tarif pro Monat? to compare plans.
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