Italian Phrase
La metropolitana va bene per i viaggi più lunghi.
Meaning
This phrase means that the subway (or metro) is a suitable or effective mode of transport for journeys that are of a greater distance. It implies that for shorter, perhaps intra-city trips, other options might be considered, but for more extensive travel within a metropolitan area, the subway is a good choice.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing the efficiency or suitability of the subway for covering significant distances within a city or metropolitan area. It's perfect for comparing transportation options or explaining why you might choose the subway over a bus or walking for a particular journey.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lametropolitanava beneperiviaggipiù lunghi
La metropolitana
'La' is the feminine singular definite article. 'Metropolitana' is the Italian word for subway or metro system. It's often shortened to 'la metro'.
va bene
This is an idiomatic expression meaning 'it's fine,' 'it's good,' or 'it works well.' It comes from the verb 'andare' (to go) conjugated in the third person singular ('va') plus 'bene' (well).
per
'Per' is a preposition meaning 'for' or 'in order to.' Here, it indicates purpose or suitability.
i viaggi
'I' is the masculine plural definite article. 'Viaggi' is the plural of 'viaggio' (trip, journey, travel). Note that 'viaggio' is masculine.
più lunghi
'Più' means 'more,' and 'lunghi' is the masculine plural form of the adjective 'lungo' (long). Together, they form the comparative 'longer.' Adjectives in Italian must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify, so 'lunghi' agrees with 'viaggi'.
🗨In Conversation
Dovremmo prendere l'autobus o la metropolitana per andare al museo?
Should we take the bus or the subway to go to the museum?
Il museo è un po' lontano, quindi la metropolitana va bene per i viaggi più lunghi.
The museum is a bit far, so the subway is good for longer trips.
✕Common Mistakes
La metropolitana è buona per i viaggi più lunghi.
While 'è buona' (is good) is grammatically correct, 'va bene' (goes well/is fine/is good) is much more idiomatic and natural when talking about something functioning well or being suitable for a purpose.
La metropolitana va bene per i viaggi lungo.
The adjective 'lungo' (long) needs to agree in number and gender with the noun it modifies. 'Viaggi' is masculine plural, so it should be 'lunghi'. Also, 'più' (more) is needed for 'longer'.
La metropolitana va bene per i viaggi più lungo.
Similar to the previous mistake, 'lungo' must be plural 'lunghi' to agree with 'viaggi'.
↔Alternatives
La metro è adatta per spostamenti più lunghi.
The metro is suitable for longer movements/travels.
Per i tragitti più lunghi, la metropolitana è un'ottima scelta.
For longer routes, the subway is an excellent choice.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, 'metropolitana' (often shortened to 'metro') refers specifically to the subway or underground train system found in major cities like Rome, Milan, and Naples. While efficient for urban travel, Italians often distinguish between 'metro' for within-city travel and 'treno' for inter-city or regional travel. This phrase highlights the metro's utility for covering larger distances *within* its network, rather than implying it's for cross-country journeys.