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一線 (いっせん, issen) Japanese meaning: a line | Kotomora
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There is a clear line between professionals and amateurs.
His work stands apart from that of other writers.
Expressions 一いっ 線せん を 引ひ く draw the line; set a boundary; make a clear distinction Related words 境界線 is a concrete, physical boundary line, while 一線 more often marks an abstract distinction or demarcation.
線 is the general word for a line in any context, while 一線 specifically stresses a single, clear dividing line, often figurative.
区別 refers broadly to distinguishing between things or categories, while 一線 pictures that distinction as a concrete boundary line.
Don't confuse with 一線 (a boundary line) and 一戦 (a battle or match) are pronounced identically but refer to completely different things.
一線 alone often appears in the same fixed phrases (一線を退く), but by itself it just means 'a line', whereas 第一線 always specifically means 'the front line/forefront'.
Word family front line; forefront
top-notch; first-rate; leading
abreast; side-by-side; in a row · neck and neck; almost equal
cross the line; go too far
Etymology Compound of 一 (one) and 線 (line). The combination straightforwardly yields the meaning 'one line' or 'a single line', which extended to figurative uses of a clear boundary.
The boundary between work and private life is becoming blurred.
