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线

線
xiàn
#430 most
frequent character
thread, string, wire, line, route
noun
Measure words:条 tiáo,股 gǔ,根 gēn

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

线 joins 纟 silk threads with 戋 jiān, which marks the sound. It first meant making long thin things from silk, cotton, or metal. From that came thread or wire, then line, segment, or path. 戋 replaces 戔 in the simplified form.

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Example Sentences

这条线很长。
zhè tiáo xiàn hěn cháng 。
This line is very long.
请把这根线剪短。
qǐng bǎ zhè gēn xiàn jiǎnduǎn 。
Please cut this piece of string shorter.
我们沿着这条线走。
wǒmen yánzhe zhè tiáo xiàn zǒu 。
We walk along this route.

Same Characters, Different Readings

线xiàn
thread, string, wire, line, route

Words with similar meanings

绳shéng
rope
Rope is typically thicker and more durable than thread, used for heavier tasks.
线索xiànsuǒ
clue
Clue refers to a piece of information that helps to solve a problem or mystery.

Words Starting With 线

线索xiàn suǒ
trail; clues; thread (of a story)

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Homophones

HSK 5
县xiàn
county, PRC administrative division below prefecture 地區|地区[di4 qu4]
献xiàn
offer, present, dedicate, donate
见xiàn
to appear, also written 現|现[xian4]
现xiàn
to appear, present, now, existing
限xiàn
to limit, to restrict, (bound form) limit