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Taking the Metro in English: Lines, Changes and Frequency
You want to reach a museum by metro, but someone thinks you need help with the ticket machine. These four lines redirect the conversation, check the stops after a change, and ask how often the trains run.
Four lines at the metro station
You: Actually, which line goes to the museum?
The other person asks Do you need help with the ticket machine? Here, Actually gently redirects them to what you need to know. Which line asks about the route, not the platform.
You: How many stops is it after I change?
They have told you Take the blue line and change at Central. Here, change means transfer to another train. After I change makes the starting point clear: you want the number of stops after the transfer, not before it.
You: Does the blue line run often?
Run often asks about service frequency, not speed. The reply is Every four minutes at this time of day. That last phrase limits the answer to this part of the day; it does not describe an all-day timetable.
You: Great, that’s very helpful. Thanks.
Once the route is clear, this is a natural way to finish. That’s very helpful thanks the person for useful information, and Thanks closes the exchange.
Now say it yourself
Cover the English lines and say these ideas aloud: ask which line reaches the museum / ask how many stops remain after changing / ask whether the blue line runs frequently / thank the person.
This conversation is free in Unscript. Go from reading the lines to saying them without the script: practice taking the metro.