你
Hello, which line should I take to the city center?
Beginner · 6-8 min
Take the Subway第一次乘坐地铁
After this scene, you can ask which subway line and direction to take, check whether a transfer is needed, buy a ticket at a machine, and enter through the ticket gates.
Learning
Scene setup
You are taking the subway in a major Chinese city to reach the city center. Metro systems are often one of the most convenient ways to travel, but large networks may have several lines, directions, and transfer stations, so confirming the route comes before buying a ticket. You stop at the station service desk to ask which line and direction to take, then use the ticket machine before entering through the gates.
Real-life note
Ticket machines may accept mobile payment, cash, or both, depending on the city and machine. If the Chinese interface is difficult to use, ask station staff whether ticket help or staffed sales are available at the service counter.
Core dialogue
工作人员
Take Line 2.
你
Which direction should I take?
工作人员
In the direction of People's Square.
你
Do I need to transfer?
工作人员
No. It is five stops away.
你
How do I buy a ticket?
工作人员
Buy one at the ticket machine. First, select your destination.
你
After buying the ticket, where do I enter the station?
工作人员
Enter through the gates on the right. Just tap your ticket.
你
Okay, thank you.
Key phrases
Pick a phrase and see what it means here, and how to reuse it.
Phrase Card
Phrase 1 of 6
jǐ几hào号xiàn线
which subway line
From the dialogue
你:您好，请问去市中心坐几号线？
Hello, which line should I take to the city center?
Use it here
Use 几号线 to ask for the numbered subway or metro line.
Say it another way
- zuò坐jǐ几hào号xiàn线？
Which line should I take?
- zuò坐èr二hào号xiàn线。
Take Line 2.
- zhè这shì是jǐ几hào号xiàn线？
Which line is this?
Patterns
Pick a pattern and see how it helps you say new things in the same scene.
Pattern Card
Pattern 1 of 3
去 + Destination + 坐几号线？
Ask which subway line goes to a destination.
去目的地坐几号线？
目的地 = city center, airport, station, etc.
From dialogue
- qù去shì市zhōng中xīn心zuò坐jǐ几hào号xiàn线？
Which line goes to the city center?
Try also
- qù去jī机chǎng场zuò坐jǐ几hào号xiàn线？
Which line goes to the airport?
- qù去huǒ火chē车zhàn站zuò坐jǐ几hào号xiàn线？
Which line goes to the train station?
Common mistakes
Small fixes that make your Chinese sound natural.
1. Put 几号 before 线
Not natural
去市中心坐线几号？
Natural
去市中心坐几号线？
Why
Use the order 几号线 when asking for a numbered subway line; 线几号 has the words in the wrong order.
2. Use 换乘 for changing lines
Not natural
需要换站吗？
Natural
需要换乘吗？
Why
换乘 means transferring between lines. 换站 would suggest changing the station itself.
3. Use 进站 for entering
Not natural
买好票以后从哪里上站？
Natural
买好票以后从哪里进站？
Why
进站 means enter the station. 上车 means board the train after reaching the platform.
Connected learning path