Learn Hardcore Korean: pyeongso-eneun jihacheoreul tayo.

It’s the topic particle -는 attached to the time phrase 평소에 (“in/at usual times”), forming 평소에는. It means “as for usually” and often sets up a contrast or frame:

평소에 지하철을 타요. = neutral “I usually take the subway.”
평소에는 지하철을 타요. = “As for usual times, I take the subway (as opposed to now or some special situation).” You’ll often see it in contrasts: 평소에는 지하철을 타요, 하지만 오늘은 택시를 탔어요.

Could I say 보통 instead of 평소에는?

Yes. 보통 지하철을 타요 is very natural and common. Nuance:

보통 = “usually/normally” (adverb).
평소에(는) = “in usual times/as for usual times” (noun + particle), slightly more “habit routine” or contrastive. Both are fine in everyday speech.

Where is the subject? Do I need 저는?

Korean often drops the subject when it’s clear from context. Here it’s understood as “I.” You can add it for clarity:

저는 평소에는 지하철을 타요. Use a name or title if needed for clarity, but leaving it out is very natural.

Why is 지하철 marked with 을?

타다 (“to ride/take”) is a transitive verb and takes a direct object with -을/를: 지하철을 타다. In casual speech, the object particle can be dropped: 지하철 타요 is fine. Don’t use 지하철에 or 지하철로 with 타다 for the object—those particles serve other roles.

So when do I use 지하철로?

-로 marks “by means of” or direction. Compare:

지하철을 타요 = I ride/take the subway.
지하철로 가요 = I go by subway (means). They’re close in meaning, but -을/를 + 타다 focuses on the act of boarding/riding; -로 + 가다 focuses on the method of getting somewhere.

Why is it 타요 and not 타어요?

Stem 타- + polite ending -아요 contracts: 타아요 → 타요. This is the regular contraction when the stem has ㅏ or ㅗ.

Does the present tense here mean a habitual action?

Yes. Korean -아요/어요 can express present, generic, or habitual actions. With 평소에(는), it clearly means a habit. Variations:

Past habit: 평소에는 지하철을 탔어요.
Future/plan: 평소에는 지하철을 탈 거예요.

What’s the difference between 타다, 타고 가다, and 타고 다니다?

타다: to get on/ride/take (the vehicle itself).
타고 가다/오다: to go/come by riding something (movement to/from a place).
타고 다니다: to ride regularly, commute around by (habitual/recurring movement). Example: 평소에는 지하철을 타고 다녀요 = “I usually get around/commute by subway.”

What politeness level is 타요? Alternatives?

타요 is polite informal (해요체), good for most everyday situations. Alternatives:

Formal polite: 탑니다
Casual/intimate: 타 (plain) or 타요 with friends is also fine
Honorific request: 타세요; formal: 타십시오

How is this pronounced? Any romanization?

Revised Romanization: Pyeongsoeneun jihacheoreul tayo. Pronunciation tips:

철을 is heard as “처를” because the ㄹ links: ji-ha-cheo-reul.
Word-final ㅂ/ㄷ/ㄱ issues don’t occur here; everything links smoothly: 평-소-에-는 | 지-하-철-을 | 타-요.

Can I move the words around?

Time expressions usually come first, then object, then verb:

Natural: 평소에는 지하철을 타요. Other orders are possible but change nuance:
지하철은 평소에 타요. = Topic is “the subway”; “As for the subway, I (usually) take it.”
지하철을 평소에는 타요. = Acceptable, but less common than putting the time first.

How do I make it negative or emphasize contrast?

Simple negative: 평소에는 지하철을 안 타요. / 평소에는 지하철을 타지 않아요.
Contrast with topic marking: 평소에는 지하철은 안 타요 (as for the subway, I don’t take it—maybe I take the bus).

Are there synonyms for 지하철? Any natural extensions?

지하철 and 전철 are both used for “subway/metro.” In Seoul, 지하철 is most common.
Natural extensions:
- 평소에는 지하철을 타고 출근해요. (I usually take the subway to work.)
- 평소에는 지하철로 다녀요. (I usually get around by subway.)

Why is it 평소에는 and not 평소는? What’s the role of 에?

평소 is a noun (“usual times”). -에 marks time (“at/in”), so 평소에 = “in usual times.” Adding the topic gives 평소에는 = “as for (at) usual times.” You could say 평소는 but it sounds less natural; with time nouns, -에 is typically included before topicalizing. You’ll see the same pattern with time words: 아침에는, 주말에는, 오늘은 (오늘 rarely takes 에).