die  Zeile

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtsaɪlə/

📖 What does "die Zeile" mean?

The word die Zeile (feminine) has several related meanings, mostly referring to a linear arrangement:

• Line of text: A horizontal sequence of words in written or printed text. Example: Bitte lies die nächste Zeile vor. (Please read the next line.)
• Row / Queue: A line of people or things arranged side by side or one behind another. Example: Die Leute standen in einer langen Zeile vor dem Kino. (The people stood in a long line/queue in front of the cinema.) (Often, *Schlange* or *Reihe* is used here).
• Row in a table: A horizontal set of cells in a table. Example: In dieser Zeile stehen die Verkaufszahlen vom letzten Monat. (This row contains last month's sales figures.)
• Line of code: A single instruction or part thereof in a computer program. Example: In Zeile 42 befindet sich ein Fehler. (There is an error in line 42.)

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse *Zeile* with *Seite* (page) or *Absatz* (paragraph).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "die Zeile" in Detail

"Zeile" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.

Declension of "die Zeile"

📝 Example Sentences

1. Nominative: Die Zeile ist zu lang für den Bildschirm.
   (The line is too long for the screen.)
2. Genitive: Das Ende der Zeile ist erreicht.
   (The end of the line has been reached.)
3. Dative: In der Zeile fehlt ein Wort.
   (A word is missing in the line.)
4. Accusative: Ich schreibe gerade die letzte Zeile.
   (I am currently writing the last line.)
5. Plural: Kannst du bitte die Zeilen zählen?
   (Can you please count the lines?)

💡 How to use "Zeile"?

"Die Zeile" is very commonly used in the context of texts, reading, and writing.

• Reading & Writing: We speak of *Textzeilen* (lines of text), *Gedichtzeilen* (lines of poetry), or *Codezeilen* (lines of code). "Ich habe den Fehler in der fünften Zeile gefunden." (I found the error in the fifth line.)
• Tables & Lists: Data is often organized in *Zeilen* (rows) and *Spalten* (columns). "Tragen Sie Ihren Namen in die nächste freie Zeile ein." (Enter your name in the next free row/line.)
• Queues: Although *Schlange* (queue, snake) is more common, one can also speak of a *Zeile* of people. "Wir mussten lange in der Zeile warten." (We had to wait in line for a long time.)
• Idioms: The best-known is *"zwischen den Zeilen lesen"* (to read between the lines), meaning to understand a hidden or unspoken message.

Compared to Reihe (row, series), *Zeile* is often more specific to text or a narrow, linear arrangement. A *Reihe* can be broader or more general (e.g., *eine Stuhlreihe* - a row of chairs). Linie (line) is more abstract or geometric.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Zeile"

Article Mnemonic

Imagine a bee (feminine: *die Biene*) flying over a *line* of flowers. *Die Biene* reminds you that *die Zeile* is feminine. Both end with 'e', and *die* is a very common article for feminine nouns ending in 'e'.

Meaning Mnemonic

Think of the English word "line". *Zeile* sounds a bit like "Z-line" or perhaps like something you'd find in a ZOO LINE (a queue/line at the zoo). It represents a line of text, code, or people.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Be cautious with Strich: A *Strich* is a line (like one drawn with a pen), but not a line of text.

😂 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Wer kann mir eine Zeile aus Goethes Faust zitieren?"
Fritzchen: "Bitte sehr: ....................................................................."
Lehrer: "Aber das ist doch nur eine gepunktete Linie!"
Fritzchen: "Ja, Goethe hat doch gesagt: 'Hier steh ich nun, ich armer Tor! Und bin so klug als wie zuvor.' – Da hat er wohl vergessen, die Zeile fertig zu schreiben!"

Teacher: "Who can quote a line from Goethe's Faust for me?"
Little Fritz: "Here you go: ....................................................................."
Teacher: "But that's just a dotted line!"
Little Fritz: "Yes, didn't Goethe say: 'Here I stand now, poor fool! And am as wise as I was *before*.' – He probably forgot to finish writing the line!"

✍️ A Poem about the Line

Eine Zeile, Wort an Wort,
trägt Gedanken fort und fort.
Mal kurz, mal lang, mal krumm, mal grad,
ein kleiner Teil vom großen Blatt.

Im Buch, im Code, in der Tabell',
die Zeile ordnet schnell.
Auch Menschen steh'n, wenn's sein muss, stumm,
in einer Zeile brav herum.

A line, word after word,
Carries thoughts onward, onward.
Sometimes short, sometimes long, sometimes crooked, sometimes straight,
A small part of the large sheet.

In the book, in code, in the table quick,
The line organizes with a click.
Even people stand, if need be, mum,
In a line, well-behaved, around they come.

❓ Riddle

Ich habe Wörter, doch keinen Mund.
Ich habe eine Ordnung, bin aber nicht rund.
Man liest mich von links nach rechts im Buch.
Manchmal steh'n auch Menschen in mir, Besuch für Besuch.
Was bin ich?

I have words, but no mouth.
I have an order, but I am not round.
You read me from left to right in a book.
Sometimes people also stand in me, visit after visit.
What am I?

🧩 Further Information

Etymology

The word *Zeile* comes from the Old High German *"zīla"*, which meant *"row"*. It is related to *"Ziel"* (goal, target) and *"Zeit"* (time), suggesting a directed sequence.

Common Idioms

• Zwischen den Zeilen lesen: (To read between the lines) To understand what is not explicitly stated; to grasp hidden meanings.
• Auf der ganzen Linie gewinnen/verlieren: (To win/lose all along the line) To be completely successful/unsuccessful (this more accurately refers to *Linie*, but is sometimes associated with *Zeile*).
• Keine Zeile schreiben können: (To be unable to write a line) To have writer's block.