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
über die Linie gehen – to cross the line (figuratively or literally)
in der gleichen Linie denken – to think along the same lines
You’ll also hear Linie in military, sports, or fashion talk:
Verteidigungslinie – line of defense
offensive Linie – offensive line (sports)
Modelinie – fashion line
One learner pitfall: Don’t confuse Linie with Reihe (row/sequence), Grenze (border), or Strich (stroke/dash). They’re close in meaning but not interchangeable.
Beginner dialogue using Linie:
A: Welche Linie fährt zum Hauptbahnhof?
B: Linie 5, direkt von hier.
A: Which line goes to the main station?
B: Line 5, directly from here.
Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Linie.
“Gibt es eine Linie, die man im Leben nicht überschreiten sollte — und warum?”
Is there a line in life that shouldn't be crossed — and why?
Feel free to interpret that however you like.
German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say line in German — and how die Linie helps you talk about structure, routes, behavior, and boundaries.
Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German to draw the outlines of your German fluency.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Mädchen — and learn why grammar doesn't always follow logic.
Or revisit Magie — and explore how language captures feeling and wonder.