carte SIM
/kaʁ.t(ə) sim/feminine
The English phrase "sim card" is translated into French as carte SIM.
The term carte SIM refers to the small, removable card which stores mobile phone data.
Meaning: small, removable card which stores mobile phone data (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a direct calque of the English 'SIM card', where carte means "card".
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is feminine, so the definite article is la carte SIM.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaʁ.t(ə) sim/
Did you know?
- While carte SIM is standard, you may see puce used to describe the chip itself, which literally means 'flea'.
- The word carte is used for everything from 'playing cards' to 'menus' and 'maps' in French.
- In France, you can buy a carte SIM pre-loaded with credit at newsstands called tabacs, which are not always tobacco shops.
Examples in context
- Il n'y a pas de carte SIM dans mon téléphone.There is no SIM card in my telephone.This sentence shows how to express that there is no carte SIM in a telephone.Tatoeba #10521904 by lbdx, translation #8979511 by mccarras
- En Europe, vous pouvez appeler le numéro de téléphone d'urgence 112 sur un téléphone portable sans carte SIM ou crédit.In Europe, you can call the emergency telephone number 112 on a mobile phone without a SIM card or credit.This sentence explains that you can call emergency services in Europe even without a carte SIM or credit.Tatoeba #5776430 by Thomz, translation #5775566 by zumley
- Pouvez-vous me fournir une carte SIM pour mon téléphone?Can you provide me with a SIM card for my phone?
- Hey, tu as bien inséré la puce dans ton nouveau portable?Hey, did you insert the SIM card correctly in your new phone?
- Ma vieille carte à puce ne fonctionne plus, je vais la remplacer.My old SIM card doesn't work anymore, I'm going to replace it.
- Où est ma carte SIM ?Where is my SIM card?
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are at a mobile phone store.
- LucasJe voudrais une nouvelle carte SIM, s'il vous plaît.I would like a new SIM card, please.
- LéaD'accord, Lucas. Quel forfait voulez-vous ?All right, Lucas. Which plan do you want?
- LucasJe cherche un forfait avec beaucoup de données.I am looking for a plan with a lot of data.
- LéaParfait, je vais préparer votre carte SIM tout de suite.Perfect, I will prepare your SIM card right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sim card” translations and entries carte SIM, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
