SIMカード

しむかーど

noun

SIM card

1. SIM card

A small chip card inserted into a mobile phone to connect to a cellular network. Essential for phone service in Japan, available from major carriers and budget providers.

SIMカードを入(い)れ替(か)える。

To swap the SIM card.

空港(くうこう)でSIMカードを買(か)った。

I bought a SIM card at the airport.

格安(かくやす)SIMカードに変(か)えたら、毎月(まいつき)の料金(りょうきん)がかなり安(やす)くなった。

After switching to a budget SIM card, my monthly bill became much cheaper.

Pronounced シム in Japanese (from the English acronym SIM: Subscriber Identity Module). SIM cards are essential for anyone living in or visiting Japan who wants mobile phone service.

Common collocations

SIMカードを購入(こうにゅう)する: to purchase a SIM card
SIMカードを挿入(そうにゅう)する: to insert a SIM card
格安(かくやす)SIM: budget SIM — a low-cost SIM from an MVNO (virtual carrier)
SIMフリー: SIM-free / unlocked — a phone not locked to a specific carrier
プリペイドSIM: prepaid SIM — popular with tourists for short visits

For travelers

Prepaid SIM cards are available at airports, electronics stores, and convenience stores. Data-only SIMs are the easiest to obtain for short-term visitors, as voice SIMs require identity verification.

Related words

eSIM: eSIM — a digital SIM embedded in the device, increasingly common
携帯(けいたい)電話(でんわ): mobile phone
通信(つうしん)会社(がいしゃ): telecommunications company / carrier

Related Words

Related: 携帯電話(けいたいでんわ) (mobile phone)

general

Added 2026.4.13 0:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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