线 Stroke Order — How to Write 线
线 is written in 8 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 纟, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
线 Radical and Character Components
线 is a phono-semantic compound: 纟 (thread) carries the meaning, while 戋 indicates the sound.
Radical: 纟 + 5 more strokes
线 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- xiàn
Meanings of 线 in Chinese
1
xiàn线
A thin, flexible strand made of material like silk, cotton, hemp, or metal, often used for sewing, weaving, or electrical purposes.
这件衣服是用细棉线织成的，手感很柔软。
This garment is woven from fine cotton thread, and it feels very soft.
In geometry, a line is a figure formed by the continuous movement of a point, such as a straight line, curved line, or line segment.
她用尺子画了一条直线。
She used a ruler to draw a straight line.
Something resembling a line, such as a ray of light, a line of sight, a clue, or a lifeline.
这个案件的线索非常模糊，需要更多时间调查。
The clues for this case are very vague, and more time is needed for investigation.
Classifier, used for abstract things, limited to 'one' (一), indicating a small amount or a glimmer of something.
在绝望中，他仍抓住一线生机。
In despair, he still clung to a glimmer of hope for survival.
Common Words and Phrases with 线
1
2
Nematode; a type of roundworm.
土壤中的线虫对植物生长有重要影响。
Nematodes in the soil have a significant impact on plant growth.
3
A line segment is a part of a line that is bounded by two distinct end points.
请用尺子画一条长度为五厘米的线段。
Please use a ruler to draw a line segment five centimeters long.
4
A scroll saw or fretsaw, a fine-bladed saw used for cutting curves and intricate shapes in wood or other materials.
在工艺品制作中，线锯是切割复杂曲线的好工具。
In handicraft making, a fret saw is a good tool for cutting complex curves.
5
A tiny, often thread-like or rod-shaped organelle in cells that generates most of the chemical energy needed to power the cell's biochemical reactions.
细胞内的线粒体是产生能量的主要场所。
Mitochondria within the cell are the main site of energy production.
6
Line, route, circuit, or wire.
由于电缆老化，房屋的电力线路需要定期检查。
Due to aging cables, the electrical wiring of the house needs regular inspection.
7
Roughly spun cotton thread
奶奶用线坯子编织了一个柔软的垫子
Grandma used the loosely spun cotton yarn to weave a soft mat.
8
9
10
A clue or a thread of information that helps to solve a problem or mystery.
经过长时间的思考，他终于找到了一丝线索，解决了这个难题。
After a long period of contemplation, he finally discovered a hint that helped him solve the difficult problem.
11
A thin and inexpensive blanket, typically made from cotton or blended yarn.
夏天晚上，盖一条透气的线毯会让人感觉很舒适。
On summer nights, covering oneself with a breathable yarn blanket feels very comfortable.
12
A line, especially one drawn in art or forming the outline or contour of a shape or body.
这位设计师的作品以其简约而优雅的线条而闻名。
This designer's works are renowned for their minimalist yet elegant lines.
13
The end of a thread, or a short, loose piece of thread.
这件毛衣上有一个线头，我把它剪掉了。
There's a loose thread on this sweater, so I cut it off.
14
a slender stick of incense
她点燃了一支线香，房间里立刻充满了宁静的檀木香气
She lit an incense stick, and the room immediately filled with the calming scent of sandalwood.
15
A reel or spool for winding thread.
她从线轴上抽出了一段线，开始缝补衣服。
She pulled a length of thread from the spool and began mending her clothes.
16
More words with 线
- sī丝xiàn线silk thread
- shā纱xiàn线yarn
- wěi纬xiàn线latitude, parallel
- yán沿xiàn线along the line, along the route
- àn岸xiàn线coastline; shoreline; water's edge
- dǎo导xiàn线conductor, wire
- diào钓xiàn线A line used for catching fish.
- hóu骺xiàn线epiphyseal line
- huà划xiàn线to draw lines; to underline
- jǐ脊xiàn线ridge line, ridge
- jiè界xiàn线boundary, line
- kè刻xiàn线Scribe line, scoring line
- luó螺xiàn线a spiral or a coil
- luǒ裸xiàn线bare wire; exposed wire
- mái埋xiàn线Thread embedding
- mǔ母xiàn线Busbar, Bus
- róng绒xiàn线floss for embroidery or wool yarn
- tīng汀xiàn线Shoreline, Waterline
- xīn芯xiàn线core wire, conductor
- zhàn占xiàn线The line is busy or engaged.
Idioms with 线
- xiàn线chōu抽kuǐ傀lěi儡puppet on a string
- bù不jué绝rú如xiàn线hanging by a thread
- bù步xiàn线xíng行zhēn针Plan and arrange meticulously
- chuān穿zhēn针yǐn引xiàn线mediate or facilitate connections
- chuān穿zhēn针zǒu走xiàn线perform with meticulous care and skill
- dā搭qiáo桥qiān牵xiàn线act as an intermediary
- duàn断xiàn线fēng风zhēng筝gone forever, lost beyond recall
- fēi飞zhēn针zǒu走xiàn线sew with great skill and speed
- sī丝lái来xiàn线qù去intricately connected or involved
- tǒng统yī一zhàn战xiàn线united front
- wú无sī丝yǒu有xiàn线under a cloud of suspicion
- yī一xiàn线shēng生jī机a slim chance of survival
Recommended tools
Picture Worksheets
Chinese and English fill-in vocabulary worksheets
Open the tool →
Bingo Cards
Picture and word Bingo for your class
Open the tool →
Writing Worksheets
Printable tracing sheets with a QR learning companion
Open the tool →
Character Highlight Animator
Choose character parts and animate their colors, together or in stroke order
Open the tool →Questions about 线
What does 线 mean in Chinese?
线 (xiàn) means “A thin” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 线?
线 is pronounced xiàn in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 线 have?
线 has 8 strokes.
How do you write 线?
线 is written in 8 strokes, starting from the radical 纟. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 线?
The radical of 线 is 纟, and 线 is a phono-semantic compound.