How to Say ‘Where is the subway station?’ in Japanese
地下鉄の駅はどこですか。
chika tetsu no eki wa doko desu ka
[chee-kah teh-tsu noh eh-kee wah doh-koh dess kah]
💬 Usage Tip: A very standard directions question: [〜はどこですか]. You can swap in anything: [トイレはどこですか].
🇯🇵 In Japan: If there are several stations, you may be asked [どの線] (which line) or [どの駅] (which station).
Phrase Breakdown
地下鉄
chika tetsu
subway / metro
A noun meaning an underground train system.
地下鉄で行きます。
I’ll go by subway.
Words in this phrase
地下
chika
[chee-kah]
underground (as in underground)
Part of 地下鉄 (“subway”). Used when asking for metro/subway directions.
すみません、地下鉄の駅はどこですか。
Excuse me, where is the subway station?
鉄
tetsu
[teh-tsu]
railway (as in subway)
Part of 地下鉄 (“subway/metro”). Together with 地下 forms the word for subway.
地下鉄の駅はこの道をまっすぐです。
The subway station is straight down this road.
の
no
[noh]
of; ’s (connecting particle)
Links 地下鉄 and 駅: 地下鉄の駅 = “subway station.”
地下鉄の駅の入口はどこですか。
Where is the entrance to the subway station?
駅
eki
[eh-kee]
station
駅 is “station.” In this full question, it specifies you mean the station building/entrance area.
地下鉄の駅は遠いですか。
Is the subway station far?
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker (pronounced わ)
Sets “the subway station” as the topic. Pattern: Xはどこですか = “Where is X?”
地下鉄の駅はどこですか。
Where is the subway station?
どこ
doko
[doh-koh]
where
Asks for location. Combined with ですか makes a polite question.
地下鉄の駅はどこですか。
Where is the subway station?
です
desu
[dess]
is/are (polite)
Polite “is.” Keeps the question courteous—important when asking strangers for directions.
地下鉄の駅はここです。
The subway station is here.
か
ka
[kah]
question marker
Makes the sentence a polite question: 〜ですか.
地下鉄の駅はどこですか。
Where is the subway station?
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