Welcome to the World of Transport!
Hello there! Have you ever thought about how amazing it is that we can travel from one side of Hong Kong to the other in less than an hour? Whether you are going to school by MTR or visiting the Peak on a tram, you are using transport.
In these notes, we will learn the names of different vehicles and, more importantly, the "action words" (verbs) and "connecting words" (prepositions) we use to talk about them. Don't worry if English feels a bit tricky—we will break it down step-by-step!
1. Ways to Move: Land, Sea, and Air
In Hong Kong, we have many ways to get around. Let's look at the most common ones:
On Land (The most common)
• Bus / Double-decker bus: These have two floors!
• Minibus: The small buses that are either red or green.
• MTR (Mass Transit Railway): Our famous underground train system.
• Tram: The slow, "ding-ding" vehicles on Hong Kong Island.
• Taxi: Usually red (Urban), green (New Territories), or blue (Lantau).
• Bicycle: Great for riding in parks or in the New Territories.
• Van / Lorry: Used for carrying heavy things or boxes.
On Water (By Sea)
• Ferry: Like the Star Ferry that goes across Victoria Harbour.
• Cruise ship: A very big ship for holidays.
• Yacht: A private boat used for fun.
In the Sky (By Air)
• Aeroplane (or Plane): For flying to other countries.
• Helicopter: For short, fast trips in the air.
Quick Review: Think about how you came to school today. Was it a vehicle with wheels or one that floats?
2. The "Action" Words: Verbs for Transport
We use different words depending on what we are doing with the transport. Here is a simple guide:
Take / Catch: Use these for public transport (things you pay a fare for).
Example: I take the bus every morning. I need to catch the 8:00 AM train.
Ride: Use this for things you sit on top of or for specific vehicles like the MTR.
Example: I like to ride my bicycle. Can we ride the tram today?
Drive: Use this only if you are the person controlling the car or van.
Example: My father drives a red car. (You cannot say "I drive a bus" if you are just a passenger!)
Go by: This is a general way to talk about the method.
Example: We go to Central by ferry.
Key Takeaway: Use "take" for most public transport and "ride" for bikes and motorbikes!
3. The Preposition Trap: "By", "On", or "In"?
This is the part that many students find difficult. Let's make it easy with some simple rules!
Rule A: The "By" Rule
When talking about the method of transport in general, we use by.
Important: Do not use "a" or "the" after "by".
• Correct: I go to school by bus.
• Incorrect: I go to school by a bus.
Rule B: The "On" vs. "In" Rule
When you are talking about being inside a specific vehicle, follow this trick:
• Use ON for large vehicles where you can stand up and walk around (Bus, Train, Plane, Ferry, Tram).
• Use ON for two-wheeled vehicles (Bicycle, Motorcycle).
• Use IN for small, private vehicles where you must sit down immediately (Taxi, Car, Private Van).
Did you know? There is one very special rule: We never say "by foot". We always say on foot!
Example: I live near the school, so I go there on foot.
4. Getting On and Getting Off
How do we enter and leave a vehicle? It matches the "On/In" rule from above!
For Large Vehicles (Bus, MTR, Plane, Ferry):
• Use get on to enter.
• Use get off to leave.
Example: Get on the MTR at Mong Kok and get off at Admiralty.
For Small Vehicles (Taxi, Car):
• Use get in to enter.
• Use get out of to leave.
Example: Please get in the taxi quickly; it is raining!
Memory Trick: If you can "walk" onto it (like a bus or boat), use on/off. If you have to "crouch" or "climb" into a seat (like a car), use in/out of.
5. Important Places and People
To finish our vocabulary journey, let's learn where we find these vehicles:
• Bus Stop: Where you wait for a bus.
• MTR Station: Where you catch the train.
• Pier: Where you catch a ferry (like the Central Pier).
• Airport: Where planes land and take off.
• Passenger: A person who is travelling (that's you!).
• Driver / Pilot / Captain: The people who control the bus, plane, or ship.
Summary Checklist:
1. Did I remember to say "on foot" instead of "by walk"?
2. Do I use "by" without "a" or "the"? (e.g., by MTR).
3. Do I use "in" for taxis and "on" for buses?
4. Do I "get off" the train at the right "station"?
Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! The more you look at the signs while you are travelling around Hong Kong, the easier it will be to remember these words. Happy travelling!