地铁
dìtiě
subway / metro
地铁 means subway or metro. In Chinese cities, the metro is often the fastest way to get around. Stations are numbered, and announcements are in both Chinese and English in major cities.
Example sentences
坐地铁去市中心很方便。
Zuò dìtiě qù shì zhōngxīn hěn fāngbiàn.
Taking the subway to the city center is very convenient.
最近的地铁站在哪里？
Zuìjìn de dìtiě zhàn zài nǎlǐ?
Where is the nearest subway station?
How to use 地铁 in practice
地铁 is a transportation item that is easiest to learn inside a complete sentence. Read it with the pinyin dìtiě, then connect it to the meaning “subway / metro” before trying to use it from memory. The examples on this page show the phrase in context: 坐地铁去市中心很方便。 / 最近的地铁站在哪里？.
When you practice 地铁, do not stop at recognition. Say one example aloud, swap in a new person, place, object, or time word, and then use the phrase in a short answer. This turns a glossary entry into real Mandarin output and exposes word-order or pronunciation mistakes quickly.
Common learner mistake
A common learner mistake is to memorize 地铁 only as “subway / metro” and then translate word by word from English. Instead, learn the whole chunk with the words around it. Notice which nouns, verbs, measure words, or polite markers appear before and after the phrase, and copy that pattern in your own sentence.
Mini practice prompt
Practice prompt: open Public transport guide, start a short conversation, and use 地铁 naturally in your first or second reply. If the sentence feels awkward, compare it with the examples above and try again with a smaller sentence.
Memory tip: review 地铁 tomorrow by covering the English meaning, reading only dìtiě, and producing a sentence before checking the examples. Active recall helps this word survive beyond one reading session.
Practice related pages
FAQ
How do I buy a subway ticket in China?
Most people use Alipay or WeChat transit QR codes. You can also buy single-journey tickets at station machines — select your destination, insert cash or use Alipay/WeChat to pay.
How can I remember 地铁 faster?
Say 地铁 inside a full sentence, change one detail, and repeat it in a realistic prompt. The combination of sound, meaning, and context is stronger than memorizing the translation alone.
Can I use 地铁 in conversation practice?
Yes. Start with the example sentence, then use 地铁 in a short AI conversation so you can see whether the surrounding word order and tone feel natural.
Published by AI Chinese Coach