Inklingo

How to Say "lines" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “lines” is “líneas” — use 'líneas' for physical marks, drawings, boundaries, or for telephone, internet, or service connections.

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líneas

nounA1/B1general
Use 'líneas' for physical marks, drawings, boundaries, or for telephone, internet, or service connections.

Examples

El artista dibujó finas líneas en el lienzo.

The artist drew fine lines on the canvas.

filas

FEE-lahsˈfilas

nounA2general
Use 'filas' when referring to people or things arranged in a queue or order, like a waiting line.
A row of colorful people standing one behind another in a neat queue.

Examples

Tuvimos que esperar en una fila muy larga para entrar.

We had to wait in a very long line to get in.

Hay largas filas en la entrada del cine.

There are long lines at the movie theater entrance.

Las sillas están organizadas en cinco filas.

The chairs are organized in five rows.

El joven se unió a las filas del ejército.

The young man joined the ranks of the army.

Plurality

This is the plural version of 'fila.' In Spanish, if there is more than one line, you add an 's' to the end.

Fila vs. Cola

Mistake: “Using 'fila' for every line.”

Correction: While 'fila' is understood everywhere, people in Spain often say 'cola' for waiting in line, while Latin Americans prefer 'fila'.

cuerdas

KWEHR-dahsˈkweɾðas

nounA1general
Use 'cuerdas' for ropes or strings, such as clotheslines or the strings on a musical instrument.
A thick, heavy, brown braided rope is neatly coiled on a neutral surface.

Examples

Colgué la ropa mojada en las cuerdas del tendedero.

I hung the wet clothes on the clotheslines.

Atamos la carga con unas cuerdas muy fuertes.

We tied the load with some very strong ropes.

Las cuerdas de tender la ropa estaban rotas.

The clotheslines were broken.

Gender Reminder

Remember that cuerda is a feminine noun, so its plural form cuerdas always uses feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., las cuerdas, cuerdas largas).

verso

behr-sohˈbeɾso

nounB2informal
Use 'verso' informally for smooth talk, flattery, or deceptive phrases, often used to impress or trick someone.
A fox wearing a suit and hat talking animatedly to a bird.

Examples

Le dijo todo tipo de versos para convencerla.

He told her all sorts of lines to convince her.

No le creas nada, es puro verso.

Don't believe a word he says, it's just smooth talk.

Tiene mucho verso para convencer a la gente.

He has a lot of 'game' to convince people.

¡Qué verso me metiste!

What a lie you told me!

Using 'verso' as an action

In slang, we often use the word with 'ser' (to be) to describe a person or a situation that isn't genuine.

parlamento

par-lah-MEN-tohpaɾlaˈmento

nounC1formal/theatrical
Use 'parlamento' specifically for an actor's scripted speech or lines in a play or movie.
An actor on a stage under a spotlight, holding a script and performing with expressive gestures.

Examples

El actor ensayó su parlamento varias veces.

The actor rehearsed his lines several times.

El actor olvidó su parlamento en el segundo acto.

The actor forgot his lines in the second act.

Theatrical Use

In this context, it refers to a specific piece of text that one character says without being interrupted.

Don't use for chatting

Mistake: “Saying 'mi parlamento con mi amigo'.”

Correction: Use 'plática' or 'conversación' for everyday talks. 'Parlamento' is for formal or staged speeches.

Lines for People vs. Lines on Paper

The most common confusion is between 'filas' (queues of people) and 'líneas' (drawn marks). Remember that 'filas' is for waiting people, while 'líneas' refers to actual lines, whether drawn or metaphorical like phone connections.

Related Translations

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