Korean Dictionary
How to say "Subway" in Korean
“Subway” in Korean is 지하철 (pronounced "Jihacheol").
지하철
Jihacheol
Usage & Context
Seoul's subway system is one of the best in the world — clean, punctual, and extensive. The app T-map or Naver Map helps navigate it. You can pay with a T-money card (티머니). Announcements are in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese.
Example Sentence
지하철로 가면 훨씬 빠를 거예요.
If you go by subway, it'll be much faster.
How to use 지하철 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Subway” is 지하철, romanized as Jihacheol.
Usage tip
Pair this travel word with polite request endings like -요 so it works in hotels, stations, taxis, and shops.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 지하철.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'ji-ha-cheol' — 'ji' is a crisp 'jee,' 'ha' is an open 'hah,' and 'cheol' sounds like 'chuhl.' Three quick syllables.
More Example Sentences
comparing transportation
지하철이 제일 편해요.
The subway is the most convenient.
giving directions
지하철 2호선 타세요.
Take subway line 2.
making plans
지하철역에서 만나요.
Let's meet at the subway station.
Cultural Context
Seoul's 지하철 is one of the world's largest and cleanest metro systems — its color-coded lines are color-coordinated on signs. Koreans tap 티머니 (T-money) cards at the gates. 지옥철 ('hell subway') is slang for crammed rush-hour trains. Etiquette includes silent phone mode and giving up 교통약자 (priority) seats.
Editorial note
We review entries like 지하철 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
지하철 타요.
I take the subway.
지하철역이 어디예요?
Where's the subway station?
몇 호선 타요?
Which line do I take?
Related Expressions
지하철역
jihacheol-yeok
subway station
호선
hoseon
line (e.g. Line 2)
환승
hwanseung
transfer
티머니
timeoni
T-money transit card
More Travel Words
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