Translation guide
The English word 'linear' has several distinct meanings. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression depending on whether you mean a straight line, a sequential relationship, a mathematical function, or a way of thinking.
Describing something that forms or follows a straight line, such as a path, arrangement, or motion.
The most common and natural way to say 'linear' in the sense of 'straight-line-like'. Used for movement, arrangement, or shape.
This road is linear (straight).
His career progressed in a linear fashion.
Often used in technical contexts like 'linear motion' or 'linear shape', but can sound slightly more formal or mathematical.
Control linear motion.
Loanword from English, used mainly in compound terms like 'linear motor' (リニアモーター) or in brand names. Not used as a general adjective.
The linear motor car is super fast.
Describing a process, narrative, or relationship that proceeds in a step-by-step, non-branching order.
Also used for sequential progression, implying a straightforward, uninterrupted flow.
The story progresses linearly.
Literally 'one-directional', emphasizing that the process doesn't branch or loop back.
Means 'sequential' or 'successive'. More formal and often used in technical or business contexts.
Relating to a straight line on a graph, or a function/equation of degree one.
The standard term in mathematics for 'linear'. Used in 'linear equation', 'linear function', etc.
Solve a linear equation.
Means 'first-degree' or 'linear' in the context of equations and functions. Often used in '一次関数' (linear function).
Sometimes used in technical fields like 'linear programming' (リニアプログラミング), but 線形 is more common.
Describing a way of thinking that is direct, logical, and perhaps lacking in creativity or lateral thinking.
Can describe thinking that goes straight from A to B without deviation. Often carries a slightly negative nuance of being unimaginative.
His way of thinking is too linear.
Means 'logical'. While not a direct translation of 'linear', it captures the step-by-step, cause-and-effect aspect.
直線的 (chokusenteki) is the general adjective for 'linear' in everyday contexts (straight lines, sequential progress, thinking). 線形 (senkei) is primarily a mathematical/technical term. Use 直線的 for most non-mathematical situations.
linear design
linear algebra
The loanword リニア (rinia) is not a general-purpose adjective. It is mainly used in specific compound nouns like リニアモーター (linear motor) or リニア新幹線 (Linear Shinkansen). Using it to describe a linear process or thinking will sound unnatural.
This system can only handle linear (one-way) processing.
Data is processed in a linear (sequential) manner.
This graph shows a linear relationship.
The graph of a linear function becomes a straight line.
リニアプログラミングは最適化手法の一つだ。
Linear programming is one of the optimization methods.
彼女は非常に論理的な思考をする。
She thinks in a very linear (logical) way.
Means 'monotonous' or 'unvarying'. Can be used to criticize linear thinking that lacks flexibility.
I'm surprised by his linear (monotonous) way of thinking.