Sorting out your phone
Changing your phone plan in Japan: Japanese phrases
You're friends. Your data ran out halfway through the month again, so Mei has marched you into the phone shop by the station to change your plan, and she's already read every poster on the wall. Mei speaks first, in casual Japanese: plain forms, without です and ます, the way friends and family talk. Here is how it can begin, and the phrases and words worth having ready.
casualWith Mei, at the phone shop
How Mei opens the conversation
Mei always speaks first. This is the scene's own opening line, with a reply you could give back at the same level:
毎月ギガ足りないんでしょ？プラン変えよう！
Maitsuki giga tarinai n desho? Puran kaeyō!
You run out of data every month, right? Let's change your plan!
You could say
うん、安いのがいいな。
Un, yasui no ga ii na.
Yeah, something cheap would be good.
Other ways it can begin
No two conversations go the same way, and the first line changes too. Each of these can open the scene:
見て、このポスター。学生割引あるって！
Mite, kono posutā. Gakusei waribiki aru tte!
Look, this poster. It says there's a student discount!
You could say
ほんとだ！聞いてみる。
Honto da! Kiite miru.
You're right! I'll ask about it.
番号札、32番だって。まだかかりそう。
Bangōfuda, sanjūni-ban datte. Mada kakarisō.
Our number is 32. Looks like it'll be a while.
You could say
じゃあ、座って待とう。
Jā, suwatte matō.
Then let's sit and wait.
ねえ、今のスマホ何年使ってるの？
Nē, ima no sumaho nannen tsukatteru no?
Hey, how many years have you been using that phone?
You could say
たぶん三年くらいかな。
Tabun sannen kurai ka na.
About three years, I guess.
私も先月プラン変えたんだ。安くなったよ！
Watashi mo sengetsu puran kaeta n da. Yasuku natta yo!
I changed my plan last month too. It got cheaper!
You could say
へえ、いくら安くなったの？
Hē, ikura yasuku natta no?
Oh, how much cheaper did it get?
あ、スマホケースも見ていい？かわいい！
A, sumaho kēsu mo mite ii? Kawaii!
Oh, can I look at the phone cases too? They're cute!
You could say
いいよ、ちょっとだけね。
Ii yo, chotto dake ne.
Sure, just for a bit though.
Phrases worth knowing here
Lines for what you do at the phone shop, each with when you'd say it.
- また今月もギガ切れたの？mata kongetsu mo giga kireta no?You ran out of data again this month?Mei teasing you as you walk in; you can answer 「うん、また…」
- 今のプラン、月いくら払ってる？ima no puran, tsuki ikura haratteru?How much are you paying a month right now?Comparing your current plan before choosing a new one
- こっちのほうが安くない？kotchi no hō ga yasukunai?Isn't this one cheaper?Pointing at a poster or pamphlet to compare options
- 店員さんに聞いてみようよten'in-san ni kiite miyō yoLet's just ask the staff.When you two can't figure out the details yourselves
- じゃあ、これに変えてもらうjā, kore ni kaete morauOkay, I'll have them switch me to this one.Saying to Mei once you've decided on a plan
Words you'll hear
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 料金 | ryōkin | fee, charge |
| プラン | puran | (phone) plan |
| ギガ | giga | gigabytes of data |
| 通信 | tsūshin | data/communication |
| 契約 | keiyaku | contract, signing up |
| 変更 | henkō | change, switch |
| 月額 | getsugaku | monthly cost |
| 手数料 | tesūryō | handling fee |
| 身分証 | mibunshō | ID |
| 使い放題 | tsukaihōdai | unlimited use |
How polite to be
casual Here Mei speaks casual Japanese: plain forms, without です and ます, the way friends and family talk, and the replies suggested to you match the level you'd use back. The guide to keigo explains the three levels, and when each is right.
Try it out loud
In Unsubtitled, Mei says these lines in their own voice, and answers whatever you say back, typed or dictated, with furigana, romaji, and a translation until you no longer need them.
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Or see every scene, with all four characters.