Translation guide
This entry covers how to express the idea of 'several lines' in Japanese, focusing on written text, poetry, and spoken references to multiple lines of text.
Referring to a small number of lines in a written document, message, or text.
The most common and neutral way to say 'several lines'. 数 means 'several' and 行 means 'line' (of text). Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
彼のメールは数行だけだった。
His email was only a few lines.
数行のメモを残した。
I left a note of a few lines.
Literally 'some lines', more colloquial than 数行. Often used when the exact number is vague or unimportant.
何行か書いてみた。
I wrote a few lines.
Means 'about several lines', emphasizing the approximate quantity. Slightly formal.
回答は数行程度で結構です。
A response of about a few lines is fine.
Referring to lines in a poem, song lyrics, or haiku.
Specifically for lines of poetry. 詩 means 'poem'.
彼女は数行の詩を朗読した。
She recited a few lines of poetry.
For song lyrics. 歌詞 means 'lyrics'.
その曲の数行の歌詞が心に残った。
A few lines of the song's lyrics stuck in my mind.
Referring to lines spoken by an actor or speaker.
セリフ means 'lines' in a dramatic context. Use this for theater, film, or TV.
彼は数行のセリフを忘れた。
He forgot a few lines.
Referring to drawn or printed lines, not text.
Use 線 (line) with the counter 本 for long, thin objects. This refers to physical lines, not text.
紙に数本の線を引いた。
I drew several lines on the paper.
For lines of text, use 行 (ぎょう). For physical lines (drawn, cables, etc.), use 本 (ほん) with 線 (せん). Using the wrong counter can cause confusion.
数行の線
This would be unnatural; it mixes text counter with physical line.