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线条 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
线条xiàntiáoline (in drawing, calligraphy etc)HSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #9171, Very Hard
线条xiàntiáothe lines or contours of a three-dimensional object (hairstyle, clothing, car etc)HSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #9171, Very Hard
xiàntiáo(xian4tiao2)xian tiao T4
  1. 1line (in drawing, calligraphy etc)
  2. 2the lines or contours of a three-dimensional object (hairstyle, clothing, car etc)
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March 24, 2026

线条(線條)xiàntiáo(xian4tiao2)

线条 (xiàntiáo) refers to lines or contours, especially in artistic contexts such as drawing or calligraphy. It encompasses the visual representation of shapes and forms, including the outlines of objects in various fields like fashion and design.

Strokes15Frequency#9171DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese art, the concept of 线条 is fundamental, as traditional calligraphy emphasizes the beauty and flow of each stroke. Artists often pay careful attention to the lines they create, reflecting cultural values of precision and elegance.

Memory tip

Think of a 'line' (线) that 'ties' (条) together different elements in art and design. Imagine a painter creating flowing lines that connect shapes, just like threads weaving through fabric.

Meanings of 线条

xiàntiáo(xian4tiao2)
1line (in drawing, calligraphy etc)
2the lines or contours of a three-dimensional object (hairstyle, clothing, car etc)
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About 线条

线条Simplified
線條Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 线条

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AI study notes for 线条

Quick Contrast

线 (xiàn) - refers to a line in a more general sense, while 线条 (xiàntiáo) emphasizes artistic or stylistic aspects of lines.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 线条 with related terms like 线 (line) which can refer to a singular line rather than the concept of lines in a broader sense. This term is more commonly used in artistic discussions, making it more formal than everyday conversation.

HSK Study Tips

While 线条 is not in the official HSK vocabulary, it connects well with HSK-level words related to art and design. Focus on understanding its application in contexts like drawing or fashion to enhance your vocabulary in those areas.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 线条 by using it to refer to individual lines instead of the collective concept of lines. For example, saying '我画了一条线条' (I drew a line line) is incorrect; instead, say '我画了一条线' (I drew a line).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 线条

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Component characters

线xiànthread
HSK 68 strokes纟
View full entry
条tiáostrip
HSK 27 strokes木
View full entry

How to say line (in drawing, calligraphy etc) in Chinese

“line (in drawing, calligraphy etc)” in Chinese is线条xiàntiáo

线条 (xiàntiáo) refers to lines or contours, especially in artistic contexts such as drawing or calligraphy. It encompasses the visual representation of shapes and forms, including the outlines of objects in various fields like fashion and design.

When to use 线条

Be cautious not to confuse 线条 with related terms like 线 (line) which can refer to a singular line rather than the concept of lines in a broader sense. This term is more commonly used in artistic discussions, making it more formal than everyday conversation.

线条 or something close to it

线 (xiàn) - refers to a line in a more general sense, while 线条 (xiàntiáo) emphasizes artistic or stylistic aspects of lines.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 线条 by using it to refer to individual lines instead of the collective concept of lines. For example, saying '我画了一条线条' (I drew a line line) is incorrect; instead, say '我画了一条线' (I drew a line).

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线
条

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Frequently asked questions about 线条

You can say, '这幅画的线条非常优美' (The lines in this painting are very beautiful).

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