ligne pointillée
The English phrase dotted line is ligne pointillée in French.
The term is used to describe a line composed of dots or dashes.
Meaning: line made up of dots or dashes (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective pointillée is derived from the noun point, which means dot or point and translates to dotted or made of dots.
Which one should you use?
While ligne pointillée is the standard way to say dotted line, you can also use the noun pointillés to refer to a pattern of dots or dashes.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the noun ligne is feminine, the adjective must take the feminine form pointillée. To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must take an -s, resulting in lignes pointillées.
Did you know?
- The word ligne originally comes from a Latin word for 'flaxen thread', linking modern geometry to the ancient textile industry.
- The term pointillé is used in French art history to describe a technique of painting using small, distinct dots of color to create an image.
- If you are driving on a French highway, the broken white lines are officially called lignes discontinues rather than lignes pointillées.
Examples in context
- Signez sur la ligne pointillée.Sign on the dotted line.This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to give the instruction to sign on the ligne pointillée.Tatoeba #2045652 by sacredceltic, translation #813211 by papabear
- Veuillez signer sur la ligne pointillée.Please sign on the dotted line.This sentence is useful for demonstrating a more polite way to ask someone to sign on the ligne pointillée.Tatoeba #6083211 by Aiji, translation #3618796 by CK
- Dessinez une ligne en pointillés pour indiquer la zone à remplir.Draw a dotted line to indicate the fillable area.
- Connectez les points en utilisant une ligne en pointillé.Connect the dots using a dotted line.
- Indiquez l'emplacement avec une ligne en tirets.Indicate the location with a dotted line.
- Suivez la ligne pointillée sur le plan.Follow the dotted line on the map.
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are looking at a craft project.
- HugoIl faut couper le long de la ligne pointillée.You have to cut along the dotted line.
- ChloéEst-ce que la ligne pointillée est bien visible ?Is the dotted line clearly visible?
- HugoOui, elle est très claire.Yes, it is very clear.
- ChloéD'accord, je commence alors.Okay, I'll start then.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ligne, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
