地铁
dì tiě
In Chinese, MRT refers to 地铁 (dì tiě) (dìtiě).
The term is used to describe the rapid transit railway system used for public transportation in cities. When you want to say you are 'taking the MRT' or 'riding the subway', you use the verb 坐 (zuò), which means 'to sit' or 'to ride', followed by 地铁.
Which one should you use?
While 地铁 (dìtiě) specifically refers to underground subways, the broader term 轻轨 (qīngguǐ), meaning 'light rail', is often used for elevated or surface-level rapid transit systems.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, 捷运 is commonly used to represent the rapid transit system. In Hong Kong and Macau, the Cantonese term 地鐵 is commonly used instead of 地铁.
How do you pronounce it?
dì tiě
Did you know?
- In Taiwan, the term 捷运 (jiéyùn) emphasizes speed and convenience. The character 捷 can mean 'quick' but also 'victory', giving the transit system an auspicious connotation.
- The characters in 地铁 literally mean 'earth iron'. This describes the physical materials of the system: the ground it is buried in and the steel of the tracks.
- In some Chinese cities, passengers use the word 地铁 (dìtiě) as a shorthand for the entire station area, including the shops and malls built around the exits.
Examples in context
- 我要搭地铁去市中心。I want to take the subway to the city center.
- 请问地铁怎么去机场？Excuse me, how do I get to the airport by subway?
- 地铁是我最喜欢的交通工具之一。The subway is one of my favorite means of transportation.
- 我坐轻轨去上班。I take the light rail to work.
- 我每天坐地铁去上班。Wǒ měitiān zuò dìtiě qù shàngbān.I take the subway to work every day.
- 地铁站就在前面。Dìtiězhàn jiù zài qiánmiàn.The subway station is right ahead.
- 坐地铁比开车快。Zuò dìtiě bǐ kāichē kuài.Taking the subway is faster than driving.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing their commute at the office.
- 俊杰 Junjie你今天怎么过来了？Nǐ jīntiān zěnme guòlái le?How did you get here today?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我坐地铁来的。Wǒ zuò dìtiě lái de.I came by subway.
- 俊杰 Junjie那确实很方便。Nà quèshí hěn fāngbiàn.That is indeed very convenient.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是的，而且不堵车。Shì de, érqiě bù dǔchē.Yes, and there is no traffic.
