tarjeta SIM
/taɾxeta sim/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase 'sim card' is translated into Spanish as tarjeta SIM. Wiktionary also lists chip telefónico and chip celular.
Meaning: small, removable card which stores mobile phone data (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tarjeta SIM | /taɾxeta sim/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| chip telefónico | /t͡ʃip telefoniko/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| chip celular | /t͡ʃip θelulaɾ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /t͡ʃip selulaɾ/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| chip móvil | /t͡ʃip mobil/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to the small, removable card used to store data for a mobile phone.
Which one should you use?
tarjeta SIM is the most precise and formal way to refer to the object. In contrast, the terms using the word chip are more colloquial.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many parts of Latin America, people commonly use the word chip to refer to the SIM card.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because tarjeta is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine article la when referring to the SIM card as la tarjeta SIM. Because chip is a masculine noun, you must use the masculine article el when referring to it as el chip.
How do you pronounce it?
/taɾxeta sim/
Did you know?
- The word móvil used in chip móvil actually shares the same Latin root as the word mueble, which means 'furniture'. Both stem from the Latin 'mobilis', meaning 'easy to move'.
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, chip is used as a general term for any small electronic component, not just a SIM card.
- Spanish uses different words for the SIM card depending on whether the user is in Spain móvil or Latin America celular.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar una tarjeta SIM?Where can I buy a Sim card?
- Necesito una tarjeta SIM nueva.I need a new SIM card.
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar la tarjeta SIM?Where can I buy the SIM card?
- La tarjeta SIM no funciona.The SIM card is not working.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are at a mobile phone store.
- JavierHola, busco una tarjeta SIM para mi teléfono.Hello, I am looking for a SIM card for my phone.
- ElenaClaro, ¿quieres una tarjeta SIM con datos incluidos?Sure, do you want a SIM card with data included?
- JavierSí, por favor, Elena.Yes, please, Elena.
- ElenaMuy bien, te traeré la mejor opción.Very well, I will bring you the best option.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sim card” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chip, móvil, tarjeta, telefónico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
