Translation guide
The English word "line" covers many concepts. This guide organizes them by meaning: drawn marks, rows of text, queues, boundaries, transportation routes, phone connections, and more. For each, natural Japanese expressions are given.
A long, thin mark on a surface.
General word for a line, such as a drawn line, a line on paper, or a wrinkle.
紙に線を引いてください。
Please draw a line on the paper.
Loanword from English, often used in design, sports, or casual contexts.
このラインをまっすぐにしてください。
Make this line straight.
A single row of written or printed words.
Used for lines of text in a document, book, or code.
A line of people or vehicles waiting for something.
General word for a line or queue of people or things.
A real or imaginary line that separates areas or marks a limit.
Used for boundaries, like a finish line or a border.
A railway, bus, or air route.
Used for train or subway lines, e.g., JR Yamanote Line.
A phone connection or a line of communication.
A line on skin or fabric.
Wrinkle or crease, used for skin, clothes, or paper.
A range of products from a brand.
Loanword used for product lines, e.g., cosmetics or fashion.
線 (せん) is for drawn lines, routes, or boundaries. 行 (ぎょう) is for lines of text. 列 (れつ) is for queues or rows of objects/people.
In English, 'I'm on the line' means you're on a call. In Japanese, you'd say 電話中です (でんわちゅうです) or 通話中です (つうわちゅうです). Using ライン is possible but sounds like a loanword.
列に並んでください。
Please stand in line.
3行目から読んでください。
Please read from the third line.
レジの前に長い列ができている。
There is a long line in front of the cash register.
Emphasizes a long, orderly queue, often for popular events or shops.
ラーメン屋の前に行列ができている。
There is a line in front of the ramen shop.
Verb meaning 'to line up' or 'to stand in line'.
チケットを買うために並んだ。
I lined up to buy tickets.
ゴールラインを越えた。
He crossed the goal line.
Specifically a boundary line between areas or concepts.
県境の境界線がここにある。
The prefectural boundary line is here.
Idiom meaning 'to draw a line' between things, often figuratively.
仕事とプライベートに一線を引く。
I draw a line between work and private life.
山手線は東京を一周する。
The Yamanote Line circles Tokyo.
Refers to a bus or train route, often used in formal contexts.
このバス路線は駅まで行きます。
This bus line goes to the station.
Telephone line or circuit.
電話回線が混み合っている。
The phone lines are busy.
Often used for online communication, like 'on the line' in a call.
彼は今ラインに出ています。
He is on the line right now.
To answer the phone (literally 'to go to the phone').
すみません、電話に出なければなりません。
Excuse me, I have to take this call.
年をとると、顔にしわができる。
As you get older, you get lines on your face.
新作の化粧品ラインが発売された。
A new line of cosmetics has been released.
Often used for a series of products, books, or shows.
このスマホの新シリーズは人気だ。
This new line of smartphones is popular.