Japanese for Buying a Prepaid SIM Card with Data
Learn elementary Japanese to ask for a data SIM card, understand common plan words like data capacity and validity period, and complete a purchase at a Japanese phone shop.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
Buying a SIM card in Japan is easier when you can state exactly what you need. In this lesson you will learn to say 'I need a SIM card with data' in natural Japanese, ask whether a plan includes data, and understand the numbers and time words that appear on prepaid SIM packages. You will also practice a short shop conversation and learn which words are usually written in katakana, such as データ and ギガ. The focus is mobile connectivity only: data-only SIMs, monthly plans, and prepaid options.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a SIM card with data in Japanese.
- ask how much data a plan includes and how long it lasts.
- understand and answer simple questions at a phone shop.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
データつきのSIMカードがほしいです。
I need a SIM card with data.
dēta-tsuki no shimu kādo ga hoshii desu
Use this at a shop counter. ほしいです expresses that you want something; it is polite and direct enough for retail.
このプランにはデータがどのくらいありますか。
How much data does this plan have?
kono puran ni wa dēta ga dono kurai arimasu ka
Ask this while pointing at a plan card or screen. どのくらい asks about amount.
一か月で二十ギガです。
It is 20 gigabytes per month.
ikkagetsu de nijū giga desu
A typical answer. ギガ is the everyday word for gigabytes in phone shops.
プリペイドのSIMはありますか。
Do you have a prepaid SIM?
puripeido no shimu wa arimasu ka
Useful if you do not have a Japanese residence card or long-term contract.
データ専用ですか。
Is it data-only?
dēta sen'yō desu ka
Ask this if you do not need a phone number for calls or SMS.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern X がほしいです means 'I want X.' Put the thing you want before が. For example, データつきのSIMカードがほしいです means 'I want a SIM card with data.' To ask about a plan, use このプランにはデータがどのくらいありますか, literally 'As for this plan, how much data is there?' The answer often uses で for a time unit: 一か月で二十ギガです, 'It is 20 GB per month.'
When to use it
Use データつきのSIMカードがほしいです at the start of a purchase. If the staff shows you options, ask このプランにはデータがどのくらいありますか. If you need to know the period, ask 何か月ですか, 'How many months is it?' For a short stay, ask プリペイドのSIMはありますか. If you only need internet, confirm with データ専用ですか. These are polite and work in electronics shops and convenience stores.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、データつきのSIMカードがほしいです。
Excuse me, I need a SIM card with data.sumimasen, dēta-tsuki no shimu kādo ga hoshii desuはい。プリペイドですか、毎月のプランですか。
Yes. Is it prepaid or a monthly plan?hai. puripeido desu ka, maitsuki no puran desu kaプリペイドで、一か月で二十ギガのプランはありますか。
Prepaid, and do you have a plan with 20 GB for one month?puripeido de, ikkagetsu de nijū giga no puran wa arimasu kaはい、あります。三千円です。パスポートをお願いします。
Yes, we do. It is 3,000 yen. Your passport, please.hai, arimasu. sanzen en desu. pasupōto o onegai shimasuA little context goes a long way
In Japan, prepaid data SIMs are often sold at electronics shops, some convenience stores, and airport counters. Staff may ask for identification such as a passport or residence card, and the wording can differ by shop. The word ギガ is common in everyday speech for data amount, while formal documents may write ギガバイト. Politeness matters: use です and ます forms, and say すみません to get attention rather than calling out.
One thing to watch for
Using がほしいです with a verb, as in データを買うがほしいです.
Try this instead: ほしいです attaches to a noun, not a verb. Say データつきのSIMカードがほしいです. If you want to say you want to buy, use the verb stem plus たいです: SIMカードを買いたいです.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I need a SIM card with data' politely?
Show a sample answer
データつきのSIMカードがほしいです。
This uses the noun phrase データつきのSIMカード plus がほしいです. You can also say データつきのSIMカードをお願いします in a shop, which is equally natural.
2Ask how much data a plan includes.
Show a sample answer
このプランにはデータがどのくらいありますか。
このプランには sets the topic, and データがどのくらいありますか asks the amount. A shorter version, データはどのくらいですか, is also acceptable in casual shop talk.
3Say 'It is 20 GB per month.'
Show a sample answer
一か月で二十ギガです。
一か月で marks the period, and 二十ギガ is the data amount. You may also hear 一か月に二十ギガ, but で is very common in this context.
Start with データつきのSIMカードがほしいです, then ask このプランにはデータがどのくらいありますか and confirm the period with 何か月ですか. Keep your passport ready and use です/ます forms.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Japanese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr