How do you use "The train" in a sentence?

I'll just take the train — parking is impossible downtown. The train was so packed this morning I couldn't even get on. What train do you take to work? I'm on the F.

The train

American Slang Term American ★★★★★ Very Common informal

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Meaning: The subway — New Yorkers call the subway 'the train,' not 'the subway' in casual speech.

地铁——纽约人在日常口语中把地铁叫做'the train'，而不是'the subway'。

El metro — los neoyorquinos llaman al metro 'the train' (el tren) en lugar de 'the subway' en el habla informal.

地下鉄のこと——ニューヨーカーは日常会話で「subway」ではなく「the train」と呼ぶ。

지하철 — 뉴요커들은 일상 대화에서 'subway'가 아니라 'the train'이라고 부른다.

While tourists and outsiders say 'the subway,' native New Yorkers typically say 'the train.' 'I'm taking the train' means 'I'm taking the subway.' They also refer to specific lines by number or letter: 'Take the A train,' 'I was on the 2.' This casual usage is a subtle marker of being a real New Yorker versus a newcomer.

游客和外地人说'the subway'，但土生土长的纽约人通常说'the train'。'I'm taking the train'就是'我坐地铁'的意思。他们还会用编号或字母来称呼具体的线路：'Take the A train''I was on the 2'。这种日常用语是区分真正纽约人和新来者的一个微妙标志。

Mientras que los turistas y forasteros dicen 'the subway', los neoyorquinos nativos suelen decir 'the train'. 'I'm taking the train' significa 'voy a coger el metro'. También se refieren a líneas específicas por número o letra: 'Take the A train', 'I was on the 2'. Este uso informal es un indicador sutil de ser un verdadero neoyorquino frente a un recién llegado.

観光客や外部の人は「the subway」と言うが、生粋のニューヨーカーは通常「the train」と言う。「I'm taking the train」は「地下鉄に乗る」という意味。路線は番号や文字で呼ぶ：「A線に乗って」「2番線に乗ってたんだ」。この何気ない使い方が、本物のニューヨーカーと新参者を見分ける微妙な目印になる。

관광객이나 외부인은 'subway'라고 하지만, 토박이 뉴요커들은 보통 'the train'이라고 말한다. 'I'm taking the train'은 '지하철 탈 거야'라는 뜻이다. 또한 특정 노선을 번호나 알파벳으로 부른다: 'Take the A train', 'I was on the 2.' 이런 일상적인 표현은 진짜 뉴요커인지 새로 온 사람인지를 구별하는 미묘한 표지이다.

Examples

I'll just take the train — parking is impossible downtown.
我坐地铁去吧——市中心根本没法停车。
Voy a coger el tren (metro) — aparcar en el centro es imposible.
電車（地下鉄）で行くよ——ダウンタウンの駐車は無理だから。
전철(지하철) 타고 갈게 — 시내에 주차하는 건 불가능하니까.
The train was so packed this morning I couldn't even get on.
今早地铁挤爆了，我根本挤不上去。
El tren iba tan lleno esta mañana que ni siquiera pude subir.
今朝、電車がめちゃくちゃ混んでて乗れなかったよ。
오늘 아침 전철이 너무 만원이라 탈 수도 없었어.
What train do you take to work? I'm on the F.
你上班坐几号线？我坐F线。
¿Qué línea coges para ir al trabajo? Yo voy en la F.
通勤は何線？俺はF線だよ。
출퇴근할 때 몇 호선 타? 나는 F선이야.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: commuting, daily life, casual conversation

Tone: casual, practical

✓ Do Say

I'm taking the train.
我坐地铁去。
Voy a coger el tren.
電車（地下鉄）で行くよ。
나 전철 타고 갈 거야.
What train goes to Brooklyn?
去布鲁克林坐几号线？
¿Qué tren va a Brooklyn?
ブルックリンに行くのは何線？
브루클린 가려면 몇 호선이야?

✗ Don't Say

In NYC, saying 'the subway' sounds slightly touristy in casual speech — locals say 'the train'
在纽约，日常口语中说'the subway'会显得有点像游客——当地人说'the train'
En Nueva York, decir 'the subway' suena ligeramente turístico en el habla informal — los locales dicen 'the train'.
NYCでは日常会話で「the subway」と言うとやや観光客っぽく聞こえる——地元の人は「the train」と言う
NYC에서 일상 대화 중 'subway'라고 하면 약간 관광객 같은 느낌이 난다 — 현지인들은 'the train'이라고 한다

Origin & History

Natural shorthand that developed among regular subway users in New York City. The NYC subway system opened in 1904, and locals quickly shortened 'subway train' to just 'the train.' The A train became famous through the 1941 Billy Strayhorn/Duke Ellington jazz standard.

Cultural Context

Era: Early 20th century

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: New York City