지하철
jihacheol[t͡ɕiɦa̠t͡ɕʰʌ̹ɭ]
The English word subway translates to Korean as 지하철 (jihacheol). Wiktionary also lists 전철 (jeoncheol) and 도시철도 (dosicheoldo).
Meaning: underground railway (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 지하철 | jihacheol | [t͡ɕiɦa̠t͡ɕʰʌ̹ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 전철 | jeoncheol | [ˈt͡ɕɘ(ː)ɲt͡ɕʰʌ̹ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 도시철도 | dosicheoldo | |
| 메트로 | meteuro |
The word refers to an underground railway.
Which one should you use?
지하철 is the most common everyday term for the subway. In contrast, 도시철도 is a technical or administrative term for 'urban railway'. Additionally, 전철 specifically refers to an electric train and is often used interchangeably with subway in daily conversation. You may also see the word 메트로 used.
How do you pronounce it?
jihacheol
Did you know?
- When using the 지하철 in Korea, it is customary to avoid sitting in the designated 'pregnant woman' or 'elderly' seats, even if the train is empty.
- The word 지하철 literally translates to 'underground iron', with the 'iron' part referring to the tracks or the steel construction of the trains.
- In Korea, the subway is often used as a hub for 'subway shopping', where small stores and clinics are integrated directly into the 지하철 concourses.
Examples in context
- 난 어제 지하철을 탔어.I took the subway yesterday.This sentence shows how to say you took the subway.Tatoeba #8369715 by Eunhee, translation #3120541 by CM
- 난 지하철로 학교에 가.I go to school by subway.This sentence shows how to say you go to school by subway.Tatoeba #8369719 by Eunhee, translation #259409 by CK
- 지하철로 가는 길 좀 알려줄 수 있어?Can you give me directions to the subway station?This sentence is useful for asking for directions to a place involving the 지하철.Tatoeba #8369653 by Eunhee, translation #277078 by CK
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Minji are deciding how to travel to a meeting.
- 민준 Min-jun민지 씨, 지하철 탈까요?Minji ssi, jihacheol tal-kkayo?Minji, shall we take the subway?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 지하철이 제일 편해요.Ne, jihacheori jeil pyeonhaeyo.Yes, the subway is the most convenient.
- 민준 Min-jun민지 씨는 지하철을 자주 타요?Minji ssi-neun jihacheoreul jaju tayo?Do you take the subway often, Minji?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 매일 지하철로 출근해요.Ne, maeil jihacheollo chulgeunhaeyo.Yes, I commute by subway every day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “subway” translations and entries 지하철, 전철, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 전철, 지하철, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
