SIM Card and Mobile Shop

Добър ден!

Dobar den!

Good day!

Walking up to the counter in the mobile shop — open with a greeting.

Бих искал предплатена СИМ карта, моля.

Bih iskal predplatena SIM karta, molya.

I would like a prepaid SIM card, please.

The opening ask — 'предплатена' is the pay-as-you-go SIM with no contract.

Трябва ми мобилен интернет.

Tryabva mi mobilen internet.

I need mobile data.

The thing you actually came for — say it so they show you data plans, not just calls.

Колко гигабайта има в плана?

Kolko gigabayta ima v plana?

How many gigabytes are in the plan?

Comparing what each plan gives you before you pick one.

Трябва ли ми паспорт?

Tryabva li mi pasport?

Do I need my passport?

SIMs here are registered to an ID — good to know before you're sent back for documents.

Може ли да я активирате днес?

Mozhe li da ya aktivirate dnes?

Can you activate it today?

So you walk out connected rather than waiting for it to switch on later.

Как да заредя картата?

Kak da zaredya kartata?

How do I top up the card?

The one you'll need again next month — 'зареждам' is how Bulgarians say 'top up'.

Къде мога да заредя?

Kade moga da zaredya?

Where can I top up?

Kiosks, shops and machines all do it — this finds the nearest option.

Заредете с двадесет евро, моля.

Zaredete s dvadeset evro, molya.

Top up with twenty euros, please.

Handing over cash for credit — name the amount you want loaded on.

Може ли по-просто?

Mozhe li po-prosto?

Can you put it more simply?

When the plan comparison turns into a wall of terms — this asks for the plain version.

Не разбирам.

Ne razbiram.

I don't understand.

The honest reset when the details have fully escaped you.

Моля, повторете.

Molya, povtorete.

Please repeat.

The clerk lists steps too fast — this asks for another pass.

Благодаря за помощта!

Blagodarya za pomoshtta!

Thanks for your help!

Pocketing the new SIM and heading out — a warm thanks for the walk-through.

Здравейте, искам да си взема СИМ карта.

Zdraveyte, iskam da si vzema SIM karta.

Hello, I'd like to get a SIM card.

Your first sentence at the counter once you've said hello — 'да си взема' is how people phrase getting a new SIM.

Здравейте, с какво мога да помогна?

Zdraveyte, s kakvo moga da pomogna?

Hello, how can I help?

Something you hear the moment you step up to the desk — answer it with what you came for.

Моля, вземете номер от машината и изчакайте да ви извикаме.

Molya, vzemete nomer ot mashinata i izchakayte da vi izvikame.

Please take a ticket from the machine and wait to be called.

Something you hear in a mall shop with a ticket machine by the door — take the paper slip and sit down.

Само искам да попитам нещо.

Samo iskam da popitam neshto.

I just want to ask something.

Stepping in for information rather than to buy — it lowers the stakes of the conversation.

Договор или предплатена?

Dogovor ili predplatena?

Contract or prepaid?

Something you hear as the very first question — the clerk needs to know which shelf to reach for.

Предпочитам предплатена, без договор.

Predpochitam predplatena, bez dogovor.

I'd rather have prepaid, no contract.

Saying no to a two-year commitment when you're not sure how long you're staying.

Каква е разликата между договор и предплатена карта?

Kakva e razlikata mezhdu dogovor i predplatena karta?

What's the difference between a contract and a prepaid card?

You genuinely don't know which is better for you — this gets the clerk to lay both out.

С договор излиза по-изгодно на месец.

S dogovor izliza po-izgodno na mesets.

With a contract it works out cheaper per month.

Something you hear when the clerk nudges you toward a subscription — 'излиза по-изгодно' is the standard sales line.

Ще ми трябва документ за самоличност.

Shte mi tryabva dokument za samolichnost.

I'll need an identity document.

Something you hear before anything else happens — every SIM here is registered to a named person.

Имам само паспорт, става ли?

Imam samo pasport, stava li?

I only have my passport, is that okay?

You left the residence card at home and want to know if the passport alone will do.

Приемаме и карта за пребиваване.

Priemame i karta za prebivavane.

We also accept a residence card.

Something you hear if you ask what counts — the residence permit card works as well as a passport.

Трябва ли и адресна регистрация?

Tryabva li i adresna registratsiya?

Do you also need a registered address?

Contracts often want an address on file — worth asking before they start typing.

Чужденец съм, отскоро живея тук.

Chuzhdenets sam, otskoro zhiveya tuk.

I'm a foreigner, I've only recently moved here.

Framing the whole conversation up front so the clerk pulls out the foreigner paperwork straight away.

Нямам единен граждански номер.

Nyamam edinen grazhdanski nomer.

I don't have a Bulgarian personal identity number.

The form asks for the national ID number, written on documents as ЕГН — say it in full so it's unmistakable.

Попълнете тук трите си имена и данните от документа.

Popalnete tuk trite si imena i dannite ot dokumenta.

Fill in your full name and the document details here.

Something you hear as a form is slid across the counter — 'трите имена' means first, father's and family name.

Кой пакет е най-подходящ, ако ползвам основно интернет?

Koy paket e nay-podhodyasht, ako polzvam osnovno internet?

Which package suits me best if I mostly use the internet?

You barely call anyone — steer the clerk away from minute bundles toward data.

Пакетът включва двадесет гигабайта на месец.

Paketat vklyuchva dvadeset gigabayta na mesets.

The package includes twenty gigabytes a month.

Something you hear as each option is read out — listen for the number before the word гигабайта.

Има ли пакет с неограничен интернет?

Ima li paket s neogranichen internet?

Is there a package with unlimited internet?

Asking for the top tier when you tether a laptop or stream a lot.

След като изчерпате гигабайтите, скоростта намалява.

Sled kato izcherpate gigabaytite, skorostta namalyava.

Once you use up the gigabytes, the speed drops.

Something you hear in the small print out loud — you're not cut off, just throttled.

Колко минути са включени?

Kolko minuti sa vklyucheni?

How many minutes are included?

Comparing bundles when you do still make voice calls.

Разговорите към нашата мрежа са неограничени.

Razgovorite kam nashata mrezha sa neogranicheni.

Calls within our network are unlimited.

Something you hear as a selling point — free only to people on the same operator.

Мога ли да се обаждам в чужбина?

Moga li da se obazhdam v chuzhbina?

Can I make calls abroad?

You call family in another country — international minutes are usually charged separately.

Ще се активира до един час.

Shte se aktivira do edin chas.

It will be activated within an hour.

Something you hear as they hand you the card — don't panic if there's no signal on the way out.

От кога мога да я ползвам?

Ot koga moga da ya polzvam?

From when can I use it?

The practical question when the clerk finishes and hands the card over.

Изключете и включете телефона, за да хване мрежата.

Izklyuchete i vklyuchete telefona, za da hvane mrezhata.

Turn the phone off and on so it picks up the network.

Something you hear as the last instruction — 'да хване мрежата' is the everyday way to say it registers.

Още не се е активирала.

Oshte ne se e aktivirala.

It still hasn't activated.

Back at the counter an hour later with a card that never came to life.

Какъв е новият ми номер?

Kakav e noviyat mi nomer?

What's my new number?

The number is printed on the plastic card holder, but ask so you don't lose it.

Ще ви го напиша тук.

Shte vi go napisha tuk.

I'll write it down for you here.

Something you hear as the clerk scribbles the number on the card holder or a receipt.

Може ли да ми напишете номера?

Mozhe li da mi napishete nomera?

Can you write the number down for me?

Ten digits read out fast are impossible to catch — ask for them on paper.

Ще ви кажа номера бавно, по цифри.

Shte vi kazha nomera bavno, po tsifri.

I'll say the number slowly, digit by digit.

Giving your new number to someone else — Bulgarians often say it in pairs, so warn them you'll go one digit at a time.

Може ли да заредите този номер?

Mozhe li da zaredite tozi nomer?

Can you top up this number?

Handing your phone or a slip with the number to the clerk at the counter.

С колко да заредя?

S kolko da zaredya?

How much should I load?

Something you hear the second you ask for a top-up — answer with an amount in euro.

Каква е най-малката сума за зареждане?

Kakva e nay-malkata suma za zarezhdane?

What's the smallest amount I can top up?

There's a floor on top-ups — ask rather than guessing and being told no.

Готово, номерът е зареден.

Gotovo, nomerat e zareden.

Done, the number is topped up.

Something you hear as confirmation — the credit shows on the phone within seconds.

Искам ваучер за зареждане.

Iskam vaucher za zarezhdane.

I'd like a top-up voucher.

Vouchers are sold at kiosks and small shops as well as operator stores — this is how you ask for one.

Изтрийте сребристото поле и въведете кода.

Iztriyte srebristoto pole i vavedete koda.

Scratch off the silver strip and enter the code.

Something you hear when you buy a voucher — the code hides under a scratch panel on the slip.

Мога ли да зареждам онлайн с карта?

Moga li da zarezhdam onlayn s karta?

Can I top up online with a card?

Saving yourself the trip next month by paying with a bank card instead.

Може да зареждате и през приложението на оператора.

Mozhe da zarezhdate i prez prilozhenieto na operatora.

You can also top up through the operator's app.

Something you hear as the easier alternative — every carrier here has its own app.

Как да проверя баланса си?

Kak da proverya balansa si?

How do I check my balance?

The question you'll use every month once the shop visit is over.

Наберете звездичка, сто и едно, диез.

Naberete zvezdichka, sto i edno, diez.

Dial star, one hundred and one, hash.

Something you hear as the shortcut for checking credit — on the keypad it looks like *101#.

Колко ми е останало от интернета?

Kolko mi e ostanalo ot interneta?

How much internet do I have left?

Mid-month, when you're not sure whether you can stream on the bus.

Ще получите съобщение с информацията.

Shte poluchite saobshtenie s informatsiyata.

You'll get a message with the information.

Something you hear after the check is triggered — the answer arrives as a text, not on screen.

Свърши ми интернетът.

Svarshi mi internetat.

I've run out of internet.

Walking back into the shop mid-month with nothing left in the bundle.

Може ли да добавя още гигабайти?

Mozhe li da dobavya oshte gigabayti?

Can I add more gigabytes?

Buying a booster rather than waiting for the month to reset.

Мога да ви активирам допълнителен пакет веднага.

Moga da vi aktiviram dopalnitelen paket vednaga.

I can activate an extra package for you right away.

Something you hear as the fix — an add-on bundle that starts within a minute.

Интернетът стана много бавен.

Internetat stana mnogo baven.

The internet has got very slow.

The symptom of a throttled package — say this and they'll check your usage.

Нямам обхват тук.

Nyamam obhvat tuk.

I have no signal here.

'Обхват' is the word for coverage — the standard complaint at home or at the office.

Проверете дали мобилните данни са включени.

Proverete dali mobilnite danni sa vklyucheni.

Check whether mobile data is switched on.

Something you hear first, because it's usually a setting and not the network.

Мрежата не работи от сутринта.

Mrezhata ne raboti ot sutrinta.

The network hasn't been working since this morning.

Reporting an outage rather than a one-off glitch.

В момента има проблем в района, работим по него.

V momenta ima problem v rayona, rabotim po nego.

There's a problem in the area at the moment, we're working on it.

Something you hear when it isn't your phone at all — an area fault they already know about.

Телефонът не разчита картата.

Telefonat ne razchita kartata.

The phone doesn't read the card.

The slot is empty as far as the phone is concerned — the clearest way to describe it.

Пробвайте я на друг телефон.

Probvayte ya na drug telefon.

Try it in another phone.

Something you hear as the first diagnostic — it separates a bad card from a bad handset.

Може ли да ми издадете нова карта със същия номер?

Mozhe li da mi izdadete nova karta sas sashtiya nomer?

Can you issue me a new card with the same number?

Your card is broken or lost but the number stays yours — this is the replacement request.

Искам да запазя номера си и да сменя оператора.

Iskam da zapazya nomera si i da smenya operatora.

I want to keep my number and switch operator.

The whole point of the visit if you already have a Bulgarian number you don't want to lose.

Имате ли номер при нас?

Imate li nomer pri nas?

Do you have a number with us?

Something you hear early on — they're checking whether you're already their customer.

Колко време отнема пренасянето на номера?

Kolko vreme otnema prenasyaneto na nomera?

How long does porting the number take?

'Пренасяне на номер' is the official term for porting — ask so you know when to expect the switch.

Донесете и договора от стария оператор.

Donesete i dogovora ot stariya operator.

Bring the contract from your old operator as well.

Something you hear when they send you home for paperwork before the port can start.

Предлагате ли електронна СИМ карта?

Predlagate li elektronna SIM karta?

Do you offer an electronic SIM card?

Signage and the app write this as eSIM, but say 'електронна СИМ карта' out loud and everyone understands.

Ще ви дам код, който да сканирате с телефона.

Shte vi dam kod, koyto da skanirate s telefona.

I'll give you a code to scan with your phone.

Something you hear when an electronic SIM is set up — a printed QR square you scan from the settings.

Телефонът ми поддържа ли електронна карта?

Telefonat mi poddarzha li elektronna karta?

Does my phone support an electronic card?

Hand them the handset and let them check the model rather than guessing.

Може ли да ползвам два номера на един телефон?

Mozhe li da polzvam dva nomera na edin telefon?

Can I use two numbers on one phone?

Keeping your home country number alive alongside the Bulgarian one.

Пакетът важи ли в другите страни от Европейския съюз?

Paketat vazhi li v drugite strani ot Evropeyskiya sayuz?

Is the package valid in other European Union countries?

Before your first trip out — spell out Европейския съюз rather than saying the letters.

Роумингът в Европейския съюз е включен.

Roumingat v Evropeyskiya sayuz e vklyuchen.

Roaming in the European Union is included.

Something you hear as reassurance — the same bundle works across the union.

Колко гигабайта мога да ползвам в чужбина?

Kolko gigabayta moga da polzvam v chuzhbina?

How many gigabytes can I use abroad?

There's usually a lower cap for use outside the country — get the number before you travel.

А извън Европейския съюз какво се случва?

A izvan Evropeyskiya sayuz kakvo se sluchva?

And what happens outside the European Union?

Following up for trips further afield, where charges jump sharply.

Искам да сменя плана с по-евтин.

Iskam da smenya plana s po-evtin.

I want to switch to a cheaper plan.

Six months in, when the bundle turned out bigger than you need.

Договорът ви е до края на следващата година.

Dogovorat vi e do kraya na sledvashtata godina.

Your contract runs to the end of next year.

Something you hear when they pull up your file — the answer to whether you're free to leave.

Има ли неустойка, ако прекратя по-рано?

Ima li neustoyka, ako prekratya po-rano?

Is there a penalty if I terminate early?

'Неустойка' is the contractual penalty — the one word to know before signing anything.

Искам да прекратя договора си.

Iskam da prekratya dogovora si.

I want to terminate my contract.

Said plainly at the counter when you're leaving the country or the operator.

Кога трябва да платя сметката?

Koga tryabva da platya smetkata?

When do I have to pay the bill?

On a contract the first invoice date is easy to miss — ask while you're still at the desk.

Фактурата ще ви идва по имейл.

Fakturata shte vi idva po imeyl.

The invoice will come to you by email.

Something you hear as they take your address — nothing arrives on paper unless you ask.

Може ли да ми дадете договора на хартия?

Mozhe li da mi dadete dogovora na hartiya?

Can you give me the contract on paper?

You want a signed copy in hand for your own file.

Може ли да напишете цената?

Mozhe li da napishete tsenata?

Can you write the price down?

Numbers said fast are the hardest part — ask for the figure on the screen or on paper.

Кажете ми го пак, но по-бавно.

Kazhete mi go pak, no po-bavno.

Say it again for me, but slower.

You caught half the plan explanation — this keeps it in Bulgarian at a pace you can follow.

Извинявайте, още уча български — това може ли на английски?

Izvinyavayte, oshte ucha balgarski — tova mozhe li na angliyski?

Sorry, I'm still learning Bulgarian — could you say that part in English?

The last resort, only after you've clearly tried in Bulgarian and one term still won't land.

Това ми беше всичко, благодаря.

Tova mi beshe vsichko, blagodarya.

That was everything, thank you.

Signalling you're done once the card is in your hand and the form is signed.

Друго да желаете?

Drugo da zhelaete?

Anything else?

Something you hear before the clerk closes the ticket — a yes or a thank-you both work.

Ако има проблем, заповядайте пак.

Ako ima problem, zapovyadayte pak.

If there's a problem, come back in.

Something you hear on the way out — 'заповядайте' here is a warm 'you're welcome to'.