線 (xiàn) - Thread, line, wire & a long, thin, flexible strand or filament

線Tone 4

xiàn ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

線 · xiàn

Thread, line, wire;

a long, thin, flexible strand or filament;

also refers to routes, connections, or clues in abstract contexts.

Thread, line, wirea long, thin, flexible strand or filamentalso refers to routes, connections, or clues in

Usage highlights

ThreadLine segmentRouteWireOnlineClue

Synonyms

  • 丝— silk, thread (often finer)
  • 绳— rope, cord (thicker)

Antonyms

  • 点— point, dot (vs. extended line)
  • 面— surface, plane (vs. one-dimensional line)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She threaded the needle with cotton thread (棉线).
  • The bus follows this route (公交线路).
  • Draw a straight line (直线) on the paper.
  • There is a clue (线索) in the evidence.

Collocations

  • Thread(线)
  • Line segment(线段)
  • Route(路线)
  • Wire(电线)
  • Online(在线)
  • Clue(线索)

Idioms

  • A single thread connects through(一线贯穿)
  • Threads and crumbs of evidence(丝来线去)
  • Walking a tightrope(走钢丝线)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with silk and textile production, key to ancient Chinese trade.
  • In modern contexts, symbolizes connection, communication, and networks.
  • Used metaphorically for lineage, continuity, or logical sequences.

FAQ