metro
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metro
An urban rapid transit system, usually running underground. In German, the term is often used for subway systems in cities such as Paris, Moscow, or Washington, D.C.
In Paris fahren wir am liebsten mit der Metro, weil sie so schnell ist.
In Paris, we prefer to travel by metro because it is so fast.
Metro
The name of a large German retail chain that operates as a wholesale market for business owners, restaurateurs, and other institutional customers.
Als Restaurantbesitzer kaufe ich meine Zutaten immer bei der Metro ein.
As a restaurant owner, I always buy my ingredients at Metro.
The meaning of 'Metro' depends entirely on context. If it is about travel and public transport in a big city, it means the subway. If it is about bulk shopping for a business or restaurant, it means the retail chain.
In Moskau ist das Netz der Metro sehr gut ausgebaut.
In Moscow, the metro network is very well developed.
For the subway (m01), you use 'mit der Metro fahren' (to travel by metro). For the wholesale market (m02), you say 'zur Metro fahren' (to go to Metro) for movement, or 'in der Metro' / 'bei der Metro' einkaufen (to shop at Metro) for location.
Wir fahren mit der Metro zum Museum.
We are taking the metro to the museum.
In German, 'Metro' is often used specifically for the subway systems in certain foreign cities such as Paris, Moscow, or Prague. It emphasizes the international character of the word.
Die Stationen der Pariser Metro sind oft kunstvoll gestaltet.
The stations of the Paris Metro are often artistically designed.
The 'Metro' as a store is not a normal supermarket. It is a wholesale market where, as a rule, only people with a business license, such as restaurant owners, are allowed to shop.
Ohne einen Metro-Ausweis kommst du dort als Kunde nicht rein.
Without a Metro card, you can't get in there as a customer.
light rail
Metro and Stadtbahn are urban rail systems, and both can have underground sections. Metro usually refers to a rapid transit system that runs mostly underground, whereas Stadtbahn refers to a mixed system with dedicated tracks, tunnels, and some sections running in regular traffic. Stadtbahn is more precise for such a mixed network.
Mit der Metro fahren wir schnell und fast vollständig unterirdisch durch die Stadt.
We are taking the metro quickly through the city, almost entirely underground.
Mit der Stadtbahn fahren wir durch einen Tunnel und später auf der Straße weiter.
We are taking the light rail through a tunnel and then continuing on the street.
