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

I'll take the Tube to work. The Tube was packed this morning. Which Tube line do you need?

The Tube

Q: What does "The Tube" mean?

The London Underground railway system. Londoners' affectionate name for the underground railway, from the tube-shaped tunnels of the deep-level lines.

Slang Term British ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: The London Underground railway system.

伦敦地铁

El sistema de metro de Londres.

ロンドン地下鉄

런던 지하철

Londoners' affectionate name for the underground railway, from the tube-shaped tunnels of the deep-level lines.

伦敦人对地铁的亲切称呼，源于深层线路的管状隧道。

Nombre cariñoso que los londinenses dan al metro, por los túneles en forma de tubo de las líneas profundas.

深層路線のチューブ型トンネルに由来する、ロンドンっ子が地下鉄を親しみを込めて呼ぶ名前。

런던 시민들이 지하철을 부르는 애칭으로, 심층 노선의 튜브 모양 터널에서 유래했다.

Literal meaning: Tube-shaped tunnels

Examples

I'll take the Tube to work.
我坐地铁去上班
Iré en metro al trabajo
仕事にはチューブで行く
출근은 지하철로 갈 거야.
The Tube was packed this morning.
今早地铁挤死了
El metro iba hasta arriba esta mañana
今朝のチューブは満員だった
오늘 아침 지하철이 꽉 찼다.
Which Tube line do you need?
你要坐哪条地铁线？
¿Qué línea de metro necesitas?
どのチューブの路線が必要？
어느 지하철 노선을 타야 해?

Pronunciation

/ðə tjuːb/

Usage Guide

Context: London transport, commuting, travel

Tone: everyday, casual

✓ Do Say

Take the Tube.
坐地铁
Coger el metro
チューブに乗る
지하철을 타다.
On the Tube.
在地铁上
En el metro
チューブで
지하철에서.
Tube strike.
地铁罢工
Huelga del metro
チューブのストライキ
지하철 파업.

✗ Don't Say

The subway
The subway（地铁——美式说法）
The subway（El subway）
The subway（サブウェイ）
서브웨이
The metro
The metro（地铁——欧式说法）
The metro（El metro — en contexto londinense）
The metro（メトロ）
메트로

Common Mistakes

Specific to London—not used for other cities' metros
Americans say 'subway,' Parisians say 'metro'

Origin & History

From the circular tunnels of the deep-level underground lines that look like tubes.

Etymology: British, from tube-shaped tunnels, early 20th century

First recorded: Early 1900s

Cultural Context

Era: Early 20th century to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: London life; British films set in London

Regional notes: Strictly London—other British cities have 'metros' or 'undergrounds.'

Variations

The TubeTubeTube line