Inklingo

How to Say "line" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “line” is “línea” — use 'línea' for a drawn mark, a queue of people, a transportation route, a telephone/internet connection, or a product range.

líneaA1

Use 'línea' for a drawn mark, a queue of people, a transportation route, a telephone/internet connection, or a product range.

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fila🔊A1

Use 'fila' specifically for a queue or line of people waiting for something.

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cola🔊A1

Use 'cola' for a queue of people, similar to 'fila', but often implies a longer or more disorganized waiting line.

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raya🔊A1

Use 'raya' for a mark drawn on a surface, like a stripe or a line on paper or clothing.

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cuerda🔊A1

Use 'cuerda' when referring to a rope, used for tying things or as a boundary.

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víaA2

Use 'vía' for a railway track or line that trains run on.

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arruga🔊A2

Use 'arruga' specifically for a wrinkle on the face.

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verso🔊A2

Use 'verso' to refer to a single line of poetry.

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hilo🔊B2

Use 'hilo' to mean a thread, or figuratively, a sequence or connection in a conversation or narrative.

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English → Spanish

línea

nounA1general
Use 'línea' for a drawn mark, a queue of people, a transportation route, a telephone/internet connection, or a product range.

Examples

Dibuja una línea recta con la regla.

Draw a straight line with the ruler.

fila

FEE-lahˈfi.la

nounA1general
Use 'fila' specifically for a queue or line of people waiting for something.
Five brightly colored, stylized people standing one behind the other, forming a clear queue or line.

Examples

Hay una fila muy larga para comprar entradas.

There is a very long line to buy tickets.

Por favor, pónganse en fila antes de entrar al museo.

Please, get in line before entering the museum.

Gender Check

Remember that 'fila' is a feminine noun, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la fila', 'una fila larga').

Confusing 'Fila' and 'Cola'

Mistake: “Using 'fila' in Spain where 'cola' (meaning tail/queue) is much more common.”

Correction: In Mexico, Central America, and the US, 'fila' is standard for a queue. In Spain, use 'cola' (hacer cola).

cola

KOH-lahˈko.la

nounA1general
Use 'cola' for a queue of people, similar to 'fila', but often implies a longer or more disorganized waiting line.
Three stylized people standing in a straight line, waiting patiently.

Examples

Había una cola enorme para comprar las entradas del concierto.

There was a huge line to buy the concert tickets.

No me gusta hacer cola en el supermercado.

I don't like waiting in line at the supermarket.

Hay una cola de tres kilómetros en la carretera.

There is a three-kilometer traffic jam on the highway.

Key Verb: Hacer

The most common way to say 'to wait in line' is using the verb 'hacer' (to do/make): 'hacer cola'.

raya

RRAH-yahˈra.ʝa

nounA1general
Use 'raya' for a mark drawn on a surface, like a stripe or a line on paper or clothing.
A thick, straight red line drawn horizontally across a plain white surface.

Examples

Dibuja una raya horizontal en el cuaderno.

Draw a horizontal line in the notebook.

La cebra tiene rayas blancas y negras.

The zebra has white and black stripes.

No cruces la raya roja en el suelo.

Don't cross the red line on the floor.

Gender Reminder

Even though 'raya' ends in 'a', it is feminine, like most Spanish nouns ending in 'a'. Use 'la raya' or 'una raya'.

cuerda

KWEHR-dahˈkweɾða

nounA1general
Use 'cuerda' when referring to a rope, used for tying things or as a boundary.
A thick brown fibrous rope coiled loosely on a simple background, illustrating material used for tying.

Examples

Atamos el bote al muelle con una cuerda gruesa.

We tied the boat to the dock with a thick rope.

Puso la ropa mojada en la cuerda de tender.

She put the wet clothes on the clothesline.

Gender Reminder

Even though many Spanish nouns ending in -a are feminine, remember that cuerda follows this rule consistently: it always uses 'la' (la cuerda).

vía

nounA2general
Use 'vía' for a railway track or line that trains run on.

Examples

El tren a Sevilla sale de la vía número dos.

The train to Seville leaves from track number two.

arruga

ah-ROO-gahaˈruɣa

nounA2general
Use 'arruga' specifically for a wrinkle on the face.
A close-up illustration of a person's eye area showing gentle smile lines and wrinkles on the skin.

Examples

Mi abuela tiene arrugas muy bonitas alrededor de los ojos.

My grandmother has very beautiful wrinkles around her eyes.

Esta crema ayuda a reducir las arrugas de expresión.

This cream helps to reduce expression lines.

Aparecen arrugas en la piel con el paso del tiempo.

Wrinkles appear on the skin with the passing of time.

Feminine Noun Pattern

The word ends in '-a', so it is feminine. Use 'la arruga' for one and 'las arrugas' for more than one.

Placement of Adjectives

When describing wrinkles, put the description after the word: 'arrugas profundas' (deep wrinkles).

Noun vs. Verb Confusion

Mistake: “Yo tengo una arrugar.”

Correction: Yo tengo una arruga. Use 'arruga' for the line itself and 'arrugar' for the action of wrinkling something.

verso

behr-sohˈbeɾso

nounA2literary
Use 'verso' to refer to a single line of poetry.
A single row of handwritten ink on a piece of parchment paper.

Examples

Escribí un verso sobre el mar.

I wrote a line of poetry about the sea.

Este poema tiene rimas en cada verso.

This poem has rhymes in every line.

Prefiero escribir en verso libre porque es más moderno.

I prefer to write in free verse because it is more modern.

Verso vs. Stanza

In English, 'verse' can mean a whole paragraph of a song. In Spanish, 'verso' is just ONE line. A group of lines (a paragraph) is called an 'estrofa'.

Confusing 'Verso' with 'Verse'

Mistake: “Using 'verso' to mean a section of a song.”

Correction: Use 'verso' for a single line and 'estrofa' for the whole block of lyrics.

hilo

EE-lohˈilo

nounB2general
Use 'hilo' to mean a thread, or figuratively, a sequence or connection in a conversation or narrative.
Two friendly characters facing each other and talking, visually connected by a single, continuous, brightly colored thread flowing between them, symbolizing the continuity of their dialogue.

Examples

Perdí el hilo de la conversación cuando sonó mi teléfono.

I lost the thread of the conversation when my phone rang.

El hilo de la novela es muy complicado, con muchos giros.

The plot line of the novel is very complicated, with many twists.

Figurative Use

This meaning is very similar to how English uses 'thread' to describe the continuous line of thought in a discussion or story.

Queue vs. Mark vs. Route

The most common confusion is between 'línea', 'fila', and 'cola' when referring to a queue. While 'línea' can be used, 'fila' and 'cola' are more specific for people waiting. Remember 'línea' is also used for drawn marks and routes.

Related Translations

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