Lesson 59 · German A1-2

Phone & Technology Vocabulary

Handy und Technik

Getting a German SIM card or phone plan is another early settling-in task, alongside utilities (Lesson 51) and banking (Lesson 43). Short, modern, practical vocabulary - much of it close to English.

Today's win: get a phone plan set up and describe a basic tech problem.

Core tech nouns

das Handymobile phone (note: not "Mobile" or "Cell" - a German-specific term)die SIM-KarteSIM card
der Vertragcontract (Lesson 51's word, reused)das WLANWiFi (pronounced "vay-lahn")
das Passwortpasswordder Akkubattery

Setting up a phone plan

Ich möchte eine SIM-Karte kaufen. (I'd like to buy a SIM card.)
Gibt es einen Vertrag ohne Laufzeit? (Is there a contract without a fixed term? - ohne, "without," takes accusative)

Describing a tech problem

Mein Handy funktioniert nicht. (My phone doesn't work.)
Wie ist das WLAN-Passwort? (What's the WiFi password?)
Der Akku ist leer. (The battery is dead - literally "empty.")
Try it out loud: describe a real or imagined tech problem, and ask for a WiFi password the way you would at a café.

Quick recall check

1. What's the German word for "mobile phone" (not "Mobile")?

Show answer
Handy

2. "My phone doesn't work." - Mein Handy ______ nicht.

Show answer
funktioniert

3. What does "Der Akku ist leer" mean?

Show answer
the battery is dead

4. What's the article for "Passwort"?

Show answer
das

5. What's the German word for WiFi?

Show answer
WLAN

Primary source

Vocabulary cross-checked against the Deutsch Online A1 course glossary.

Setting up a real phone plan and need specific phrasing? Ask your teaching agent.

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