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I heard announcements in the train (Hibiya Line): 

この電車は六本木 ホーム (or ホーメ not sure) 中目黒行きです。

The English version of the above: 

This train is bound for Nakameguro via Roppongi.

So, does ホーム (or ホーメ) mean "via" here?
And why is ホーム used here instead of using Japanese word to mean "via" or "through"?

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  • Homemade → ホームメード, here ホーム means "Home" :(
    – MD TAREQ HASSAN
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 1:26
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    ホーム is derived from the second syllable of ”Platform". // Platform ==> プラットホーム　==>　ホーム // The poster misheard 方面 as ホーム
    – Craig Hicks
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 6:46
  • @CraigHicks you are right, and Halfway explained it clearly
    – MD TAREQ HASSAN
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 6:54

2 Answers 2

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I assume you are taking the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.

What you are actually hearing is 「この電車は六本木方面、中目黒行きです。」

Google this phrase, and you can find youtube videos of the announcement uploaded by train enthusiasts.

「方面(ほうめん)」, pronounced "ho-men", means "direction". So, the train pulling in to the station moves in the Roppongi direction and is Nakameguro bound (as opposed to the 北千住方面, or Kitasenju direction, which would take you in the opposite direction).

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    you are exactly right. Sometimes these pronunciations (announcements and while Japanese people speaking) are vague to me (may be because I am beginner)
    – MD TAREQ HASSAN
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 2:04
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    Don't worry about not being able to catch every syllable, especially the subtle ones like 「ん」. I still remember when I couldn't understand any of the announcements. You'll get there, especially with you trying so hard :)
    – Halfway Dillitante
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 2:14
  • I've never heard "方面" in the subway platform.
    – Sonny365 TANAKA
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 12:14
  • ^ OP wrote: "I heard announcements in the train ".
    – chocolate ♦
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 12:55
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”ホーム" comes from "platform." Generally there are inbound and outbound platform. In Roppongi station you can have outbound train service as "bound for Nakameguro."

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  • 上り　のぼり　outbound // 下り　くだり inbound // I know you know, but its not obvious.
    – Craig Hicks
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 7:01
  • For me, Saitama is out of scope. (just kidding)
    – Sonny365 TANAKA
    Commented Feb 10, 2017 at 12:44
  • Also note the 和製英語 phrase マイホーム has a totally different meaning! OP may encounter this...
    – virgil9306
    Commented Feb 13, 2017 at 3:15

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