電話線が切れている。
The telephone line is disconnected.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
A ray or beam, such as X-rays or light rays. Often used in compounds like X線 (X-ray).
See also: Ｘ線
X線で骨折を調べる。
Examine the fracture with an X-ray.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
A railway line, bus route, traffic lane, or similar transportation path.
山手線で東京駅まで行く。
Go to Tokyo Station on the Yamanote Line.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
The outline or shape of something, often used in artistic or descriptive contexts.
彼女の顔の線はとても美しい。
The lines of her face are very beautiful.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
A level or standard, often in the sense of a benchmark or threshold.
彼の演技はプロの線に達している。
His performance has reached a professional level.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
A dividing line or boundary between areas or categories.
両者の間には明確な線が引かれている。
A clear line is drawn between the two.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
line of action; approach; policy
A course of action, stance, or policy. Often used in phrases like いい線 (good approach) or 線を出す (to propose a plan).
See also: いい線
その提案はいい線を行っている。
That proposal is on the right track.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
impression; air; vibe
The impression or aura a person gives off. Used in expressions like 線が太い (bold, strong impression) and 線が細い (delicate, weak impression).
彼は線が太いから、リーダーに向いている。
He has a strong presence, so he is suited to be a leader.
筋 can also mean line or stripe, but often implies a finer, more specific line or a logical thread, and is used in expressions like 筋が通る (to be logical).
The kanji 線 is a phono-semantic compound: the left side 糸 (thread) suggests the meaning, while the right side 泉 (spring) gives the sound. The word せん is a Sino-Japanese reading.