How do you say Line in German?

Whether you’re drawing, catching a bus, arguing politics, or crossing a boundary - line in German is a word you’ll hear and use constantly. It’s one of those nouns that stretches across meaning, tone, and context.

The German noun is die Linie. It’s feminine, and the plural is die Linien. If you need help mastering the gender system, my gender video lesson explains the patterns clearly and efficiently.

Linie is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and you’ll find it everywhere from public transport to strategic conversations.

Examples in all four cases:

Nominative:Die Linie ist gerade und sauber.The line is straight and clean.

Accusative:Ich ziehe die Linie mit dem Bleistift.I draw the line with the pencil.

Dative:Folge der Linie mit dem Finger.Follow the line with your finger.

Genitive:Der Verlauf der Linie war nicht klar.The course of the line wasn’t clear.

Real-World Tips for Learners

Linie can refer to physical lines, like on paper or streets, but also to abstract ones - like principles, political stances, and organizational rules. Common uses include:

• U-Bahn-Linien - subway lines

• Buslinien - bus routes

• Linie 3 - line number 3

• eine klare Linie haben - to have a clear approach or position

• eine rote Linie überschreiten - to cross a red line

• in erster Linie - first and foremost (very common!)

You’ll also hear Linie in military, sports, or fashion talk: