líneas
/LEE-neh-ahs/
lines
Simple drawn marks or boundaries are referred to as 'líneas'.
líneas(noun)
lines
?marks, drawings, boundaries
,strokes
?in art or writing
rows
?printed text
,markings
?on roads or fields
📝 In Action
El niño dibujó muchas líneas rectas en el papel.
A1The child drew many straight lines on the paper.
Las líneas de la carretera están borrosas por la lluvia.
A2The road markings are blurry due to the rain.
Necesito leer estas líneas antes de firmar.
B1I need to read these lines (of text) before signing.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Plural
Remember that 'línea' is feminine, so it takes feminine articles and adjectives: 'las líneas rojas' (the red lines).
⭐ Usage Tips
Visual Context
Use this meaning whenever you are talking about visual boundaries, outlines, or marks, like on a map or a sports field.
Utility or communication connections, like phone or internet cables, are also called 'líneas'.
📝 In Action
Las líneas telefónicas están caídas por la tormenta.
B1The phone lines are down because of the storm.
Tenemos que abrir nuevas líneas de comunicación con el cliente.
C1We have to open new channels of communication with the client.
Hay demasiadas personas usando las líneas de internet a la vez.
B2There are too many people using the internet lines at once.
💡 Grammar Points
Airlines
A common phrase is 'líneas aéreas' (literally 'air lines'), which means 'airlines' or 'air carriers'.
When people wait in a row, it is called a 'línea' or queue.
líneas(noun)
queue
?a row of people waiting
,rows
?of objects or people
formations
?military or organized groups
📝 In Action
Había largas líneas para comprar las entradas del concierto.
A2There were long lines (queues) to buy the concert tickets.
Los soldados mantuvieron sus líneas durante el ejercicio.
B2The soldiers maintained their formations during the exercise.
💡 Grammar Points
Regional Differences for 'Queue'
While 'líneas' is understood, many Spanish speakers prefer 'colas' (Spain) or 'filas' (Latin America) when specifically talking about a queue of people.
Rules or principles that provide direction are known as 'líneas' or guidelines.
líneas(noun)
guidelines
?rules or principles
,policies
?general direction or strategy
scope
?limits of a topic
,tenets
?core beliefs
📝 In Action
El director estableció las líneas generales del proyecto.
B2The director established the general guidelines of the project.
Debemos seguir las líneas de acción que nos dio el comité.
C1We must follow the policies (lines of action) that the committee gave us.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
This meaning is often used with adjectives like 'generales' (general) or 'principales' (main) to describe the overarching framework of an idea or plan.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: líneas
Question 1 of 2
Which translation of 'líneas' fits best in the sentence: 'El banco ofrece nuevas ______ de crédito.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'líneas' often used instead of the singular 'línea'?
The plural form is common when describing systems, networks, or general directions, such as 'líneas aéreas' (airlines), 'líneas de teléfono' (phone network), or 'líneas generales' (general guidelines), because these concepts usually involve multiple connections or principles.