What does 지하철 mean?

지하철 (ji-ha-cheol, jihacheol)

지하철 (jihacheol) is the subway, a common urban public transport in Korea. It's used often in daily life and travel.

Subway train in Korea

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

지하철(ji-ha-cheol, jihacheol)

지하철 (jihacheol) means subway or metro, an underground train system for fast, convenient urban transportation.

Nuances

  • Refers to urban public transit
  • Specifically trains running underground
  • Conveys fast and convenient travel

When to use

daily conversation, travel, commuting, transportation info

In context

지하철 is a noun referring to subway transportation. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, news, and travel contexts.

Real-world examples

  • 서울 지하철은 매우 편리해요.

    seo-ul ji-ha-cheol-eun mae-u pyeon-ri-hae-yo., seo ul ji ha cheol eun mae u pyeon ri hae yo.

    지하철 is a noun meaning subway, used correctly here.

  • 나는 지하철로 학교에 가요.

    na-neun ji-ha-cheol-ro hak-gyo-e ga-yo., na neun ji ha cheol ro hak gyo e ga yo.

    지하철 is properly used as a means of transportation.

  • 지하철은 맛있어요.

    ji-ha-cheol-eun mas-iss-eo-yo., ji ha cheol eun mas iss eo yo.

    Subway is not food, so describing it as delicious is incorrect.

  • 지하철에서 책을 읽었어요.

    ji-ha-cheol-e-seo chaek-eul ik-eoss-eo-yo., ji ha cheol e seo chaek eul ik eoss eo yo.

    지하철 is naturally used as a location here.

  • 지하철을 타고 공원에 갔어요.

    ji-ha-cheol-eul ta-go gong-won-e gass-eo-yo., ji ha cheol eul ta go gong won e gass eo yo.

    지하철 is correctly used as a mode of transport.

Quick quiz

  1. What does 지하철 mean?

    지하철은 무엇을 의미하나요?(ji-ha-cheol-eunmu-eos-eului-mi-ha-na-yo?, jihacheoleunmueoseuluimihanayo?)
  2. Which sentence uses 지하철 correctly?

    다음 중 지하철을 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjungji-ha-cheol-eulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungjihacheoleulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)
  3. Which is true about 지하철?

    지하철에 관한 설명으로 맞는 것은?(ji-ha-cheol-egwan-hanseol-myeong-eu-romaj-neungeos-eun?, jihacheolegwanhanseolmyeongeuromajneungeoseun?)

More meaning guides

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