die  Linie

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/liˈniːə/

✍️ What does "die Linie" mean?

Die Linie is a feminine noun with several meanings:

• Geometry/Drawing: A one-dimensional mark, a stroke. (e.g., eine gerade Linie zeichnen - to draw a straight line, eine krumme Linie - a curved line)
• Transport: A fixed route for public transport. (e.g., die U-Bahn-Linie 2 - subway line 2, die Buslinie 5 - bus line 5)
• Lineage/Descent: A sequence of ancestors or descendants. (e.g., in direkter Linie verwandt sein - to be related in a direct line)
• Boundary/Border: A separation between areas. (e.g., die feindlichen Linien durchbrechen - to break through enemy lines, die Armutsgrenze - the poverty line)
• Outline/Contour: The outer shape of something. (e.g., die schlanke Linie eines Sportwagens - the sleek line of a sports car)
• Text: A row of text. (e.g., Lesen Sie die nächste Linie. - Read the next line.)
• Policy/Stance: A specific strategy or attitude. (e.g., eine harte Linie verfolgen - to pursue a hard line)
• Product Range: A series of related products. (e.g., eine neue Kosmetiklinie - a new cosmetics line)

🚨 Because the word has so many meanings, context is crucial for understanding.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar of "die Linie"

"Linie" is a feminine noun. The article is die.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Zeichne bitte eine gerade Linie auf das Papier.
   (Please draw a straight line on the paper.) - Drawing
2. Welche Linie fährt zum Hauptbahnhof?
   (Which line goes to the main station?) - Transport
3. Er stammt in direkter Linie von einem berühmten Maler ab.
   (He is a direct descendant of a famous painter.) - Lineage
4. Die Soldaten überquerten die feindlichen Linien.
   (The soldiers crossed the enemy lines.) - Boundary
5. Das Kleid betont ihre schlanke Linie.
   (The dress emphasizes her slim figure/line.) - Outline
6. Die Regierung verfolgt eine klare wirtschaftspolitische Linie.
   (The government is pursuing a clear economic policy line.) - Policy

🗣️ How to use "die Linie"?

"Die Linie" is a very versatile word. Here are some typical contexts:

• Everyday life: Often related to drawing ("eine Linie ziehen" - to draw a line), waiting ("in einer Linie stehen" - to stand in a line, although "Schlange stehen" - to queue is more common), or public transport ("die Linie 7 nehmen" - to take line 7).
• In Geometry: As a fundamental element alongside point (Punkt) and plane/area (Fläche).
• Figuratively: Frequently used for guidelines, boundaries, or descent ("auf einer Linie liegen" - to be on the same page, "eine rote Linie überschreiten" - to cross a red line).
• In Design/Fashion: Referring to shapes and contours ("klare Linien" - clean lines).

Potential for confusion: Sometimes "Zeile" (e.g., line of text) is used synonymously, but "Linie" has a broader scope. "Reihe" (row) refers more to things arranged side-by-side.

🧠 Mnemonics for Linie

• Article Mnemonic: Think of the feminine elegance of a dancer's line or the curvy line of a road – both fit the feminine article die Linie. Or: The German word Linie ends in -e, like many feminine nouns.
• Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine drawing a line with a pencil (drawing), following that line on a map (route/transport), seeing your family line on a tree (lineage), and not crossing a red line (boundary). All these are die Linie.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar words: "linear" (adjective, linear), "linieren" (verb, to rule lines).

😂 A little Joke

Fragt der Mathematiklehrer: "Was ist eine Linie?" Antwortet Fritzchen: "Ein Punkt, der spazieren geht!" 😄
(The math teacher asks: "What is a line?" Little Fritz answers: "A dot taking a walk!")

📜 Poem about the Linie

Die Linie, fein und klar,
verbindet hier und dort, ist wunderbar.
Mal grad, mal krumm, im Raum sie schwebt,
als Grenze dient, als Weg, der lebt.
Im Plan der Stadt, im Zuggeschwind,
die Linie führt, wohin wir sind.

(The line, so fine and clear,
connects the here and there, is wonderfully dear.
Sometimes straight, sometimes bent, in space it floats,
as border serves, as living routes.
In city's plan, on speeding train,
the line directs where we remain.)

❓ Riddle

Ich habe keine Dicke, doch Länge besitze ich.
Man zieht mich mit dem Stift, mal grade, mal fürchterlich krumm.
Im Busfahrplan findest du mich.
Was bin ich?

(I have no thickness, yet I possess length.
You draw me with a pen, sometimes straight, sometimes terribly crooked.
You find me in the bus schedule.
What am I?)

... Die Linie (The line)

✨ Other Information about Linie

Word Compounds: "Linie" is part of many compound words in German:

• Linienbus: A public bus following a fixed route.
• Grundlinie: Baseline (e.g., in sports or geometry).
• Luftlinie: As the crow flies (lit. 'air line'), the shortest distance.
• Telefonlinie: Telephone line.
• Fertigungslinie: Production line.
• Sichtlinie: Line of sight.

Idioms:

• Auf einer Linie liegen: To be on the same page/in agreement.
• Auf ganzer Linie gewinnen/versagen: To win/fail across the board (completely).
• Eine rote Linie überschreiten: To cross a red line (violate a boundary).
• In erster Linie: Primarily, first and foremost.