ligne
/liɲ/feminine
The English word line is translated into French as ligne.
ligne refers to a single horizontal row of text on a screen, printed paper, etc.
Meaning: single horizontal row of text on a screen, printed paper, etc. (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of ligne is lignes.
How do you pronounce it?
/liɲ/
Did you know?
- The word ligne comes from the Latin līnea, which was derived from the word for 'flax' because the first lines were made from linen thread.
- When French people talk about a queue of people, they do not use ligne. They use file or queue, because ligne refers to the physical mark on the ground rather than the group of people.
- In French, the word ligne can be part of the expression ligne de conduite, which refers to a person's code of conduct or principles rather than a physical line.
Examples in context
- Trace une ligne ici.Draw a line here.This example shows how to use ligne when giving an instruction to draw.Tatoeba #8760654 by Aiji, translation #2265891 by _undertoad
- Signe sur cette ligne.Sign on this line.This example shows how to use ligne when directing someone to sign.Tatoeba #7063915 by Aiji, translation #1860607 by CK
- Tu as franchi la ligne.You crossed the line.This example shows how to use ligne in the context of crossing a line.Tatoeba #1638830 by sacredceltic, translation #1636114 by Spamster
- Il y a une longue file devant le théâtre.There's a long line outside the theater.
- 89 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon is helping Nathan proofread a document on a laptop.
- ManonNathan, regarde la dernière ligne de ce paragraphe.Nathan, look at the last line of this paragraph.
- NathanJe vois, il y a une erreur ici.I see, there is an error here.
- ManonPeux-tu corriger cette ligne rapidement ?Can you correct this line quickly?
- NathanOui, je m'en occupe tout de suite.Yes, I'll take care of it right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “line” translations and entries ligne, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ligne, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
