Translation guide
In Japanese, 'subway' can refer to the underground train system, a pedestrian underpass, or a sandwich shop. The most common word for the train system is 地下鉄 (chikatetsu). For a pedestrian underpass, use 地下道 (chikadō). The sandwich chain is referred to as サブウェイ (sabuwei).
Referring to a city's underground railway network or a subway train.
Referring to an underground passage for pedestrians to cross a road or railway.
Referring to the fast-food restaurant chain Subway.
The katakana rendering of the brand name. Used exactly like the English name.
The standard word for a subway system or subway train. Used in most contexts.
The Tokyo subway is very convenient.
Let's go by subway.
Often used in proper names like 東京メトロ (Tokyo Metro). Can be understood as 'metro' in English, but less common as a generic term.
Please give me a Tokyo Metro route map.
A more formal or legal term for a subway railway. Rarely used in everyday conversation.
Construction of the subway line is progressing.
The standard word for a pedestrian underpass. Not to be confused with 地下鉄 (subway train).
Please use the station underpass.
This underpass is dark at night.
A slightly more formal term for an underground passage, often used in signage.
Please use the underground passage.
I bought a sandwich at Subway.