Taking the subway in China is one of the easiest and fastest ways to travel around cities.
This page introduces basic Chinese phrases you may need before and during your subway trip.
These phrases will help you feel more confident when using public transportation in China.
🚇 Where is the subway?
Chinese: 地铁在哪里？
Pinyin: dì tiě zài nǎ lǐ?
English: Where is the subway?
🔊 Play Audio
💬 Example:
A: Excuse me, where is the subway?
A: 打扰一下，地铁在哪里？
B: Walk straight 100 meters and you’ll see the entrance.
B: 直走 100 米就能看到入口。
💡 Tip:
Suitable for asking passers-by on the street when you can’t find the subway station at all.
🚇 How do I get to the subway?
Chinese: 怎么去地铁站？
Pinyin: zěn me qù dì tiě zhàn?
English: How do I get to the subway?
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💬 Example:
A: How do I get to the subway from this hotel?
A: 从这家酒店怎么去地铁站？
B: Turn right at the crosswalk, it’s just across the street.
B: 斑马线右转，街对面就是。
💡 Tip:
Use this to ask for detailed walking directions to the subway station.
🚇 Is this the subway entrance?
Chinese: 这里是地铁入口吗？
Pinyin: zhè lǐ shì dì tiě rù kǒu ma?
English: Is this the subway entrance?
🔊 Play Audio
💬 Example:
A: Is this the subway entrance to Line 4?
A: 这里是 4 号线的地铁入口吗？
B: No, the entrance is around the corner.
B: 不是，入口在拐角处。
💡 Tip:
Confirm with others when you spot a door and aren’t sure if it’s the subway entry.
🚇 I need a subway card.
Chinese: 我需要一张交通卡。
Pinyin: wǒ xū yào yì zhāng jiāo tōng kǎ.
English: I need a subway card.
🔊 Play Audio
💬 Example:
A: Hello, I need a subway card, please.
A: 您好，我想办一张交通卡。
B: Sure, a deposit of 20 yuan is required.
B: 好的，需要 20 元押金。
💡 Tip:
Say this at the station service counter if you want a reusable transit card instead of single tickets.
🚇 How much is the ticket?
Chinese: 车票多少钱？
Pinyin: chē piào duō shǎo qián?
English: How much is the ticket?
🔊 Play Audio
💬 Example:
A: How much is the ticket to the train station?
A: 去火车站的车票多少钱？
B: It costs 4 yuan.
B: 4 元。
💡 Tip:
Ask about the fare before buying tickets at vending machines or ticket counters.
🚇 Which direction is correct?
Chinese: 哪个方向是对的？
Pinyin: nǎ gè fāng xiàng shì duì de?
English: Which direction is correct?
🔊 Play Audio
💬 Example:
A: For Line 3 to the airport, which direction is correct?
A: 坐 3 号线去机场，哪个方向是对的？
B: The platform marked “North Station” is the right one.
B: 标有 “北站” 的站台方向是对的。
💡 Tip:
Use this when two opposite platforms exist and you can’t tell which way to take.
🚇 Thank you.
Chinese: 谢谢。
Pinyin: xiè xie.
English: Thank you.
🔊 Play Audio
💬 Example:
A: Take Exit D, it’s closest to your destination.
A: 走 D 出口，离你的目的地最近。
B: Thank you.
B: 谢谢。
💡 Tip:
Basic polite phrase to express gratitude after station staff or passengers help you.
Travel Tip
Subway systems in China are generally very easy to use, and most stations have both Chinese and English signs.
If you are unsure, you can always show the Chinese text on your phone to station staff. They are usually very helpful.
Try to stay calm if you get confused, and follow the signs step by step.