Chinese · Travel & Places
地铁
dìtiě
Subway
Beginnernoun
Definition
An underground railway system in a city.
Example
坐地铁比开车快。
Taking the subway is faster than driving.
Etymology
'地铁' (dìtiě) combines '地' (dì), meaning 'earth' or 'ground', and '铁' (tiě), meaning 'iron', indicating a train system operating underground. It gained prominence in the 20th century with urban development.
How & Where It’s Used
'地铁' is commonly used in urban settings in both spoken and written contexts, most frequently in casual conversation regarding public transport.