The NYC subway can be a bit of a mystery so here’s some vocabulary to help you get around* in the city!
Useful phrasal verbs:
Get on (the train): enter the train.
Get off (the train): exit the train.
Transfer at (a station): change trains.
When asking for directions:
You can say…
Excuse me, how can I get to ________?
Excuse me, I’m trying to get to ______________.
Which way is uptown/downtown?
Excuse me, does this train go to/stop at _______?
If you get to your station but the train is too crowded and people won’t move:
You can say…
Excuse me, this is my stop.Sorry I need to get by.
Sorry, could I squeeze by?
Can I get by?
Finally, some phrases you will need to understand (some) subway announcements:
- Trains are (not) running: Train is out of service or has a different schedule.
- To be held at a station: The train cannot leave the station until allowed to do so.
- To be delayed: later than expected.
- A stalled train: train is being held at a station/cannot move.
- Running express: The train will no longer stop at each station.
- Train car: Individual subway wagon.
- Stand clear (of the closing doors): To move a short distance away from something so that you are safe. To move away, to unblock (the doors).
*get around: go from place to place.
