綫 (xiàn) - Line, thread, wire & a long, thin mark or object

綫Tone 4

xiàn ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

綫 · xiàn

Line, thread, wire;

a long, thin mark or object;

route, clue;

used in various contexts from textiles to mathematics.

Line, thread, wirea long, thin mark or objectroute, clue

Usage highlights

ThreadWireRouteClueCoastlineDeadline

Synonyms

  • 丝— silk, thread (more specific to silk)
  • 绳— rope, cord (thicker than line)
  • 条— strip, item (used in counting long thin objects)

Antonyms

  • 点— point, dot (zero-dimensional vs. one-dimensional)
  • 面— surface, face (two-dimensional vs. one-dimensional)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Sewing thread(缝纫线)
  • Power line(电线)
  • Railway line(铁路线)
  • Straight line in geometry(直线)
  • Clue in investigation(线索)

Collocations

  • Thread(线)
  • Wire(电线)
  • Route(路线)
  • Clue(线索)
  • Coastline(海岸线)
  • Deadline(期限线)

Idioms

  • A single thread doesn't make a cord(单丝不成线)
  • Draw the line at this(以此为线)
  • Follow the clues(沿线索)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, threads symbolize connection and continuity, as seen in the 'red thread of fate' connecting destined lovers.
  • The character appears in terms related to modern technology (e.g., 在线 for 'online'), bridging traditional and contemporary usage.
  • In textiles, thread has historical importance in silk production and embroidery, key elements of Chinese heritage.

FAQ