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A2 verb 10 min read

划线

huaxian

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 划线 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 划线 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '划线' (huàxiàn) is introduced as a simple action verb. Students learn it in the context of basic classroom instructions. The focus is on the literal meaning: drawing a line. For example, a teacher might ask you to 'underline the apple' in a picture or 'underline the letter A'. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember that '划' is like 'to draw' and '线' is 'line'. It is helpful to associate it with stationary items like pens (笔) and paper (纸). You will mostly see it in the pattern '在...划线' (draw a line at...). It is a foundational word for following directions in your first Chinese workbooks.

At the A2 level, you begin to use '划线' in more complete sentences and understand its role in language learning. You will encounter it frequently in HSK 2 materials, specifically in exercises where you must identify certain parts of a sentence. You should learn the pattern '在...下面划线' (underline below...). This level also introduces the 'Ba-construction' (把字句), such as '把生词划线' (underline the new words). You will start to see '划线' as a way to organize your own study notes. It's no longer just about drawing any line; it's about drawing a line for a purpose, like highlighting a grammar point you need to remember. You should also be able to recognize '划线部分' (the underlined part) in test questions.

At the B1 level, the usage of '划线' expands into more abstract and practical areas. You will use it to discuss study strategies and reading techniques. For example, you might explain that you underline the main idea (中心思想) of a paragraph to help with reading comprehension. You will also encounter '划线' in more formal contexts, such as office work or filling out forms. You should be able to distinguish '划线' from its synonyms like '标注' (annotate) and '标记' (mark). At this level, you might also hear about '划线价' (strikethrough price) when shopping online in China. You are expected to use the word with more complex resultative complements, such as '划好了' (finished underlining) or '划清楚' (underline clearly).

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '划线' in professional and academic discussions. You will understand its metaphorical uses, such as '划清界限' (to draw a clear line/distinction between things). In your writing, you might use '划线' to describe how a writer emphasizes certain themes. You will also encounter it in technical fields like engineering or design, where '划线' refers to layout and marking materials. You should be able to handle complex sentence structures, such as '把文中所有关于环境描写的句子都划上线' (Underline all the sentences in the text regarding environmental description). Your understanding of the word should now include its role in digital literacy, such as 'social underlining' on reading platforms.

At the C1 level, '划线' is used with precision in legal, literary, and socio-political contexts. You will analyze how '划线' (underlining) in a legal contract can change the interpretation of a clause. You will explore the history of the term, including its relationship to traditional Chinese '圈点' (marking) systems. In literary analysis, you might discuss the '划线' of a text as a form of reader-response criticism. You should be able to use the term fluently in debates about education, such as whether '划线' helps or hinders memory retention. Your vocabulary will include related high-level terms like '勾勒' (to outline) and '界定' (to define/delimit), and you will know exactly when '划线' is the most appropriate choice.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '划线' and all its subtle implications. You can use it in highly specialized fields, such as discussing the '划线' (demarcation) of maritime boundaries in international law or the '划线' (layout) procedures in high-precision manufacturing. You understand the philosophical nuances of 'drawing a line' in ethics and social discourse. You can appreciate and use wordplay involving the characters '划' and '线' in creative writing or sophisticated humor. At this level, '划线' is not just a verb but a concept that you can manipulate to express complex ideas about boundaries, emphasis, and the structure of information in both physical and digital realities.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

划线 in 30 Seconds

A common verb meaning to underline text for emphasis or study.
Frequently used in Chinese exam instructions (e.g., 'the underlined part').
Can refer to physical marking, digital highlighting, or industrial layout.
Consists of '划' (to draw/mark) and '线' (line).

The Chinese term 划线 (huàxiàn) is a versatile verb that primarily translates to "to underline" or "to draw a line" in an educational or administrative context. At its core, the word consists of two characters: 划 (huà), which means to row, scratch, or cut, and 线 (xiàn), meaning line or thread. When combined, they describe the physical or digital act of marking a straight path, usually beneath a string of text to provide emphasis or to indicate a specific area of interest. In the modern world, this term has transitioned from the physical realm of pens and rulers to the digital realm of PDF annotators, e-readers like Kindle, and word processors like Microsoft Word. Understanding 划线 is essential for any student of Chinese because it is a staple instruction in classrooms, textbooks, and standardized examinations such as the HSK.

Physical Context: In a traditional classroom, a teacher might say, "请在重点句子下面划线" (Please underline the key sentences). This involves using a pen or pencil to create a horizontal mark directly beneath the characters.

Digital Context: On digital platforms, 划线 refers to the 'underline' function (Ctrl+U). It is also used in social reading apps where users can see "popular underlines" (热门划线) from other readers, highlighting the most insightful parts of a book.

他在读这篇文章时，习惯在不认识的生词下面划线。(While reading this article, he is used to underlining the new words he doesn't recognize.)

Beyond the literal act of marking text, 划线 can also be used in more technical or industrial settings. For instance, in carpentry or construction, it refers to the act of marking a line on a material to guide a cut or a placement. However, for most language learners, the academic usage is the most frequent. It is also worth noting the psychological aspect of 划线. Educators often debate its effectiveness; while it helps in identifying key information, over-underlining can lead to a lack of deep processing. In Chinese culture, students are taught to be very meticulous with their books, and a well-underlined textbook is often seen as a sign of a hardworking and diligent student.

Industrial Usage: In manufacturing, 划线 (layout) is the process of transferring a design or pattern to a workpiece. This is a critical first step in machining and metalworking.

木工在锯木头之前先要划线。(The carpenter needs to draw a line before sawing the wood.)

In summary, whether you are taking a test, reading a novel on your phone, or building a bookshelf, 划线 is the essential action of creating a guide or a mark of emphasis. It bridges the gap between passive consumption and active engagement with material.

Using 划线 (huàxiàn) correctly in a sentence requires an understanding of its grammatical structure as a verb-object compound that functions as a single transitive or intransitive verb. Most commonly, it follows the 'Action + Location' or 'Ba-construction' (把字句) patterns. Because 划线 describes a specific action performed on an object (like a word or a sentence), the preposition 在...下面 (below...) or 在...处 (at the place of...) is frequently employed to specify where the line is being drawn.

The Basic Pattern: Subject + 在 + [Object] + 下面 + 划线. For example: "我在生词下面划线" (I underline the new words). This is the most straightforward way to express the action.

请在错误的单词下面划线并改正它。(Please underline the wrong word and correct it.)

The 'Ba' Construction: Subject + 把 + [Object] + 划线. This emphasizes the result or the handling of the object. For example: "把重要的部分划线" (Underline the important parts).

One interesting aspect of 划线 is its use as a noun-modifier. You will often see "划线句子" (the underlined sentence) or "划线部分" (the underlined part). In these cases, 划线 acts as an adjective describing the status of the noun that follows. This is particularly prevalent in exam instructions where you are asked to analyze a specific segment of a text.

请解释文中划线部分的含义。(Please explain the meaning of the underlined part in the text.)

In more formal or technical writing, 划线 might be used to describe the establishment of a boundary or a limit. For example, "划线征地" (to demarcate land for acquisition). Here, the 'line' is a metaphorical or legal boundary. However, for daily communication, sticking to the educational context is your safest bet. If you want to specify that the line is specifically an 'underscore' (like in an email address), the more precise term is 下划线 (xiàhuàxiàn).

Formal Usage: In legal or official documents: "双方已在合同的修改处划线确认" (Both parties have underlined and confirmed the modifications in the contract).

这篇文章有很多划线，看起来有点乱。(This article has many underlines; it looks a bit messy.)

By mastering these patterns, you can accurately describe your study habits, follow complex instructions, and interact with digital content in Chinese more effectively. Remember that while 划线 is the action, the result is often referred to as a 标记 (mark) or 注脚 (footnote/note).

The word 划线 (huàxiàn) is ubiquitous in any environment where text is analyzed, processed, or created. Its most common 'natural habitat' is the Chinese education system. From primary school to university, students are constantly instructed to 划线. If you walk into a Chinese high school during the preparation for the Gaokao (National College Entrance Exam), you will see textbooks filled with red, blue, and black lines. Teachers use the term to help students focus on grammar points, key vocabulary, or the main thesis of a classical poem.

In the Classroom: Teachers often use imperatives: "大家把这一段话划线" (Everyone, underline this paragraph). It's a collective action that signals importance.

老师说，考试时要在关键词下面划线，这样不容易出错。(The teacher said to underline keywords during the exam, so it's less likely to make mistakes.)

Another major area where you will hear 划线 is in the tech and startup world, particularly regarding User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design. When developers discuss how to display links or highlighted text, they talk about 划线. For instance, "这个链接需要划线吗？" (Does this link need to be underlined?). In the context of e-commerce or social media, "划线价" (huàxiàn jià) refers to the 'original price' that is crossed out to show a discount. While it literally means 'underlined price', in practice, it often refers to the 'strikethrough' price seen on platforms like Taobao or JD.com.

E-commerce and Sales: "划线价" (Strikethrough price) is a legal term in Chinese consumer law, referring to a price that is displayed but not the actual selling price, used to show a discount.

注意看那个划线价格，现在的折扣力度很大。(Look at that strikethrough price; the discount is very big now.)

In professional office settings, 划线 is heard during document reviews. A manager might tell an assistant to "把需要修改的地方划线标注出来" (Underline and mark the places that need modification). It serves as a clear, visual communication tool that transcends verbal ambiguity.

Social Media: On apps like WeChat Reading (微信读书), users can see what their friends have underlined. This is called "想法划线" (Thought underlines), turning a private study habit into a social experience.

我在微信读书上看到了你给那段话做的划线。(I saw the underline you made for that passage on WeChat Reading.)

Whether you are interacting with a teacher, a colleague, or a shopping app, 划线 is a term that signals focus, value, or a change in state. It is a word that moves from the static page to dynamic social and commercial interactions.

While 划线 (huàxiàn) seems simple, English speakers and even native learners often stumble on its nuances. The most frequent error is confusing 划线 (to underline) with 划掉 (huàdiào - to cross out). While both involve the character 划, the direction and intent are opposite. 划线 adds emphasis to keep the word, whereas 划掉 indicates that the word should be removed or ignored.

Mistake 1: Underline vs. Cross Out: Saying "把错词划线" when you mean "cross out the wrong word." Correct usage for crossing out is "把错词划掉.".

错误：请把这个不需要的句子划线。(Wrong: Please underline this unnecessary sentence.) -> 正确：请把这个句子划掉。

Another common mistake involves the choice of the first character. Some learners use 画线 (huàxiàn - using '画' for drawing/painting) instead of 划线. While they are pronounced identically and often used interchangeably in casual speech, 划 is the technically correct character for marking or scratching a line in a textual or technical context. 画线 is more appropriate when you are literally 'drawing' a line as part of an artistic endeavor.

Mistake 2: Character Confusion: Using "画线" in a formal exam paper. While understood, "划线" is the standard academic term.

Grammatically, learners often struggle with the placement of the object. In English, we say "underline the word." In Chinese, you must specify where the line goes. Simply saying "划线单词" is grammatically incomplete; it should be "在单词下面划线" (Draw a line below the word).

Mistake 3: Missing the Preposition: Saying "我要划线重点" (I want to underline the points). Better: "我要在重点下面划线" or "我要把重点划出来".

错误：他在书上划线了很多字。(Wrong: He underlined many words on the book.) -> 正确：他在书上的很多字下面划了线。

Finally, avoid using 划线 when you mean 'highlight' (using a fluorescent marker). For highlighting, use 高亮 (gāoliàng) or 涂色 (túsè). 划线 is strictly for lines. If you underline everything in a book, it's called "乱划" (luànhuà - messy marking), which is a habit teachers often discourage. Understanding these distinctions will make your Chinese sound more natural and precise.

In the world of Chinese annotation and emphasis, 划线 (huàxiàn) is just one of many tools. Depending on the context—whether academic, digital, or artistic—you might want to use a more specific alternative. Understanding these synonyms will help you describe your actions more accurately and understand complex instructions.

下划线 (xiàhuàxiàn): This specifically refers to the 'underscore' character (_) used in computer programming or email addresses. While '划线' is the action, '下划线' is often the noun for the line itself.
我的用户名中间有一个下划线。(There is an underscore in the middle of my username.)

标注 (biāozhù): This is a broader term meaning "to annotate" or "to mark." It includes underlining, but also circling, highlighting, and writing notes in the margins. If you are doing more than just drawing lines, '标注' is the better word.
请在图表上标注出最高点。(Please mark the highest point on the chart.)

勾画 (gōuhuà): This term is more literary and often refers to 'sketching' or 'outlining' the main features of something, whether it's a drawing or a character's personality in a story. It implies a bit more artistic flair than the utilitarian '划线'.

In digital settings, you might also hear 标记 (biāojì), which is the general word for 'mark' or 'tag'. If you are working on a website and want to 'mark' a favorite item, you use '标记'. If you are specifically drawing a line under a price to show it's old, you use '划线'.

圈点 (quāndiǎn): This is a traditional term for marking a text with circles and dots to indicate approval or emphasis in classical Chinese literature. It's the ancestor of modern underlining.

他读书时喜欢随手圈点，记录心得。(He likes to mark and dot while reading to record his insights.)

Choosing the right word depends on your goal. If it's a simple line for emphasis, stick with 划线. If it's a complex set of notes, use 标注. If it's a technical symbol, use 下划线.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, before modern punctuation, scholars used '圈点' (circles and dots) to mark important passages. '划线' is the modern Western-influenced evolution of this practice.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /hwɑː ʃjɛn/

US /hwɑ ʃjɛn/

Both syllables carry equal stress as they are both fourth tone.

Rhymes With

画 (huà) 话 (huà) 现 (xiàn) 面 (miàn) 见 (jiàn) 片 (piàn) 电 (diàn) 变 (biàn)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'hua' in the second tone (huá), which means 'to slip'.
Pronouncing 'xian' as 'zian' or 'sian' instead of the 'sh' sound in 'she'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text due to common characters.

Writing 3/5

The character '划' can be tricky to write correctly (don't forget the knife radical).

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but watch the fourth tones.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound, but don't confuse with '画'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

线 (line) 画 (draw) 下面 (below) 书 (book) 笔 (pen)

Learn Next

标注 (annotate) 重点 (key point) 修改 (modify) 删除 (delete) 强调 (emphasize)

Advanced

界限 (boundary) 勾勒 (outline) 范畴 (category) 阈值 (threshold)

Grammar to Know

Ba-construction (把字句)

把重要的句子划线。

Resultative Complements

划好线 (Finished underlining).

Prepositional Phrases for Location

在单词下面划线。

Modifier 'de' (的)

划了线的句子。

Directional Complements

划出重点 (Mark out the key points).

Examples by Level

请在这里划线。

Please draw a line here.

Simple 'Subject + 在 + Location + Verb' structure.

他在纸上划线。

He is drawing a line on the paper.

Uses '在...上' to indicate the surface.

划一条线。

Draw a line.

Uses the measure word '条' for lines.

你会划线吗？

Can you draw a line?

Uses the modal verb '会' for acquired skill.

不要在书上划线。

Don't draw lines in the book.

Negative imperative using '不要'.

我用笔划线。

I use a pen to draw a line.

Uses '用' (to use) as an instrumental preposition.

老师在黑板上划线。

The teacher draws a line on the blackboard.

Standard S-V-O structure with location.

这儿有一条划线。

There is a line here.

'划线' used here as a noun phrase.

请在生词下面划线。

Please underline the new words.

Uses the specific location '下面' (below).

你要把重点划线。

You need to underline the key points.

Introductory 'Ba-construction' (把字句).

划线的部分很重要。

The underlined part is very important.

'划线' acting as a modifier for '部分'.

我已经在书上划好线了。

I have already finished underlining in the book.

Uses the resultative complement '好' and the aspect marker '了'.

别在不重要的地方划线。

Don't underline unimportant places.

Uses '别' for a negative command.

请在划线处签名。

Please sign at the underlined place.

'划线处' is a common compound noun in forms.

他喜欢边读边划线。

He likes to underline while reading.

Uses the '边...边...' structure for simultaneous actions.

这些划线的句子怎么读？

How do you read these underlined sentences?

Interrogative sentence focusing on the underlined object.

为了方便复习，我会在课本上划线。

To make revision easier, I underline in my textbook.

Uses '为了' (in order to) to express purpose.

请注意文中划线的关键词。

Please pay attention to the underlined keywords in the text.

Formal instruction using '注意' (pay attention).

他把这封信里重要的信息都划了线。

He underlined all the important information in this letter.

Advanced 'Ba-construction' with '都' for emphasis.

你可以看到别人在电子书上的划线。

You can see other people's underlines on the e-book.

Discussing digital features using '看到'.

划线价并不一定是成交价。

The strikethrough price is not necessarily the transaction price.

Specific commercial term '划线价'.

老师要求我们把中心句划线。

The teacher required us to underline the topic sentences.

Uses '要求' (to require) + object + action.

他在地图上划了一条红线。

He drew a red line on the map.

Adding an adjective '红' (red) to the line.

划线标注是很好的学习习惯。

Underlining and marking are good study habits.

'划线标注' used as a compound subject.

这篇文章被他划线划得乱七八糟。

This article was underlined so much by him that it's a mess.

Passive '被' construction with a descriptive complement '得'.

在法律文书中，每一处划线都有其特殊的含义。

In legal documents, every underline has its specific meaning.

Formal context with '每一处' (every single place).

他试图通过划线来理清文章的逻辑结构。

He tried to clarify the logical structure of the article by underlining.

Uses '通过...来...' (by means of... in order to...)

这种划线机主要用于道路施工。

This kind of line-marking machine is mainly used for road construction.

Technical term '划线机' (line-marking machine).

他不仅划了线，还在旁边做了批注。

He not only underlined but also made annotations on the side.

'不仅...还...' (not only... but also...) structure.

请确认划线部分的金额是否正确。

Please confirm if the underlined amount is correct.

Professional instruction using '确认' (confirm).

他习惯在 Kindle 上同步自己的划线记录。

He is used to syncing his underline records on Kindle.

Modern tech context with '同步' (sync).

划线的方法有很多，你可以选择最适合自己的。

There are many ways to underline; you can choose the one that suits you best.

Relative clause '最适合自己的' (the one that fits yourself best).

这种划线分析法在文本挖掘中非常有效。

This underline analysis method is very effective in text mining.

Academic term '划线分析法'.

作者通过划线强调了这些看似无关的细节。

The author emphasized these seemingly irrelevant details by underlining them.

Analysis of literary intent using '通过...强调'.

合同中的划线修改必须由双方共同签字。

Underlined modifications in the contract must be signed by both parties.

Legal requirement using '必须' (must).

他在那段话下面重重地划了一道线。

He drew a heavy line under that passage.

Uses '重重地' (heavily) to describe the manner of the action.

划线不仅是视觉的标记，更是思维的轨迹。

Underlining is not just a visual mark, but a track of thinking.

Philosophical '不仅是...更是...' structure.

在工业绘图中，划线的精度要求极高。

In industrial drafting, the precision of line marking is extremely high.

Technical context focusing on '精度' (precision).

他通过划线将不同层级的概念区分开来。

He distinguished different levels of concepts by underlining.

Uses '将...区分开来' (to distinguish ... apart).

这些历史文献上的划线揭示了前人的阅读习惯。

The underlines on these historical documents reveal the reading habits of predecessors.

Historical analysis using '揭示' (reveal).

划线作为一种元认知策略，在学习科学中被广泛研究。

Underlining, as a metacognitive strategy, is widely studied in the learning sciences.

High-level academic '作为...' (as a...)

在海域划线争议中，法律证据显得尤为重要。

In disputes over maritime boundary delimitation, legal evidence is particularly important.

Specialized term '海域划线' (maritime delimitation).

他那肆意妄为的划线，几乎毁掉了这本珍贵的古籍。

His reckless underlining almost ruined this precious ancient book.

Descriptive and critical tone using '肆意妄为' (reckless).

这种划线式的阅读往往会导致对文本意义的碎片化理解。

This underline-style reading often leads to a fragmented understanding of text meaning.

Critique of reading habits using '碎片化' (fragmented).

在精密机械加工中，划线是确保工件尺寸准确的第一道工序。

In precision machining, layout is the first process to ensure accurate workpiece dimensions.

Technical definition using '第一道工序' (the first process).

划线在某种程度上构成了读者与文本之间的无声对话。

To some extent, underlining constitutes a silent dialogue between the reader and the text.

Abstract concept '无声对话' (silent dialogue).

通过对划线深浅的分析，我们可以推测读者的心理波动。

By analyzing the depth of the underlines, we can speculate on the reader's psychological fluctuations.

Scientific speculation using '推测' (speculate).

划线在数字化转型的今天，被赋予了更多协作与共享的属性。

In today's digital transformation, underlining has been endowed with more collaborative and shared attributes.

Social-technical analysis using '被赋予' (be endowed with).

Common Collocations

划线部分

划线价格

划线处

重点划线

红色划线

虚线划线

批量划线

横向划线

双划线

划线支票

Common Phrases

划线句子

— The underlined sentence. Often used in reading comprehension.

请翻译这个划线句子。

划线单词

— The underlined word. Common in vocabulary tests.

划线单词的意思是什么？

在...下方划线

— To underline below something. The standard grammatical construction.

请在你的名字下方划线。

划线确认

— To confirm by underlining. Used in formal document editing.

修改处需划线确认。

热门划线

— Popular underlines/highlights. A feature in e-book apps.

看看这本书的热门划线。

划线工具

— Underlining tool. Used in software descriptions.

点击划线工具开始标注。

划线颜色

— The color of the underline.

你可以更改划线颜色。

划线宽度

— The width/thickness of the line.

设置划线宽度为2像素。

划线样式

— The style of the underline (dotted, wavy, etc.).

这种划线样式很漂亮。

划线区域

— The underlined area.

请不要在划线区域外书写。

Often Confused With

划线 vs 划掉

Means to cross out or delete, whereas 划线 is for emphasis.

划线 vs 画线

Identical pronunciation; '画' is for drawing, '划' is for marking text.

划线 vs 下划线

Specifically refers to the underscore symbol (_) or the noun for the line.

Idioms & Expressions

"划清界限"

— To draw a clear line of demarcation; to separate oneself from someone or something.

他决定与那些坏人划清界限。

Formal/Social

"一笔勾销"

— To wipe out with one stroke; to cancel or write off.

我们的债一笔勾销了。

Colloquial

"顺藤摸瓜"

— To follow the vine to find the melon (metaphorically following lines/clues).

警察顺藤摸瓜抓住了小偷。

Common

"泾渭分明"

— As different as the Jing and Wei rivers (clearly distinguished, like a drawn line).

这两个问题的性质泾渭分明。

Literary

"不逾矩"

— Not to overstep the line/rules.

他做事一向守法，从不逾矩。

Formal

"画地为牢"

— To draw a circle on the ground as a prison (to restrict oneself).

我们不能画地为牢，要勇于创新。

Literary

"名列前茅"

— To be at the top of the list (related to being marked as top).

他的成绩在班里名列前茅。

Academic

"铁面无私"

— Iron-faced and selfless (drawing a hard line in justice).

包公办案铁面无私。

Historical

"一针见血"

— To hit the nail on the head (drawing a sharp line to the point).

他的评论一针见血。

Common

"有条不紊"

— In an orderly way (like neat lines).

工作安排得有条不紊。

Formal

Easily Confused

划线 vs 画画

Both start with 'hua'.

'画画' is to paint/draw a picture; '划线' is specifically to draw a line.

他在画画，不是在划线。

划线 vs 划船

Same first character '划'.

'划船' (huá chuán) uses the 2nd tone and means to row a boat.

我们去公园划船吧。

划线 vs 计划

Same second character '划'.

'计划' (jìhuà) means a plan or to plan.

你周末有什么计划？

划线 vs 线条

Same second character '线'.

'线条' (xiàntiáo) refers to artistic lines or the contour of an object.

这幅画的线条很优美。

划线 vs 界限

Related concept.

'界限' (jièxiàn) is a boundary or limit, often abstract.

我们要划清界限。

Sentence Patterns

请在这里划线。

Please draw a line here.

请在[Noun]下面划线。

Please underline below the [Noun].

为了[Purpose]，他在[Location]划线。

In order to [Purpose], he underlines at [Location].

把[Object]划线划得[Result].

Underline [Object] to the extent of [Result].

通过对[Object]的划线，[Result].

Through the underlining of [Object], [Result].

[Subject]被赋予了划线的属性。

[Subject] was endowed with the attribute of underlining.

General

文中划线部分指的是...

The underlined part in the text refers to...

General

我不习惯在书上划线。

I'm not used to underlining in books.

Word Family

Nouns

下划线 (underscore)

划线机 (line marker)

线 (line)

Verbs

划 (to draw/mark)

线 (not used as a standalone verb for underlining)

Adjectives

划线的 (underlined)

标注

标记

勾勒

涂抹

删除

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in educational and administrative contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using '画线' in formal writing. → 划线
While they sound the same, '划' is the standard character for marking text.
Saying '划线单词' to mean 'underline the word'. → 在单词下面划线
Chinese requires a prepositional phrase to indicate the location of the line.
Confusing '划线' with '划掉'. → 划线 (underline) vs 划掉 (cross out)
'划掉' means to remove; '划线' means to emphasize.
Using '划线' for highlighting with a marker. → 高亮 or 涂色
'划线' is strictly for drawing a line, not for coloring over text.
Mispronouncing 'huà' as 'huá'. → huà (4th tone)
'huá' means to row or slip; 'huà' means to mark or draw.

Tips

Use Colors

When you '划线' in your Chinese books, try using different colors for grammar (red), vocabulary (blue), and culture (green). This makes the lines more meaningful.

Read Instructions Carefully

In HSK exams, '划线部分' is where the question is focused. Don't waste time reading the whole paragraph if the question only asks about the underlined part.

Sync Your Highlights

If you use apps like WeChat Reading, your '划线' can be synced across devices, allowing you to review your notes anywhere.

Stroke Order

The character '划' has a specific stroke order. Make sure to finish the left side before drawing the 'knife' radical on the right.

Document Review

When reviewing a contract in Chinese, always '划线' the changes you want to make and initial them to avoid disputes.

Tone Practice

Practice saying 'huà' and 'xiàn' together as two sharp, falling sounds. It should sound decisive.

Expand Your Family

Learn '下划线' and '划掉' together with '划线' to have a complete set of marking verbs.

Remember the Knife

The knife radical in '划' helps you remember it's an action of marking or cutting into a surface.

Ba-Sentence

Practice the sentence '请把重点划线'. It's the most natural way to ask someone to underline something.

The Thread

The '线' character has the thread radical. Think of underlining as leaving a thread of thought under the words.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a KNIFE (刂) carving a LINE (线) on a table. That's '划线'.

Visual Association

Visualize a red pen drawing a straight line under the word 'IMPORTANT' on a white page.

Word Web

笔 (pen) 纸 (paper) 书 (book) 重点 (key point) 生词 (new word) 下面 (below) 标注 (annotate) 修改 (modify)

Challenge

Try to read a news article and 划线 every time you see a word you've learned this week.

Word Origin

The word is a modern compound. '划' (huà) originally depicted a knife (刂) used for carving or dividing. '线' (xiàn) contains the thread radical (纟), representing a string or line.

Original meaning: To use a tool to create a line on a surface.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic)

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities. It is a neutral, functional term.

In English, we often use 'highlight' (with a marker) more than 'underline' in casual study, whereas 'underline' is very common in formal Chinese instructions.

Gaokao (高考) instructions always use '划线部分'. Kindle's 'Popular Highlights' is translated as '热门划线' in Chinese.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Classroom

请划线。
划线的部分。
重点划线。
在下面划线。

Online Shopping

划线价。
原价。
折扣。
成交价。

Office Work

划线标注。
合同修改。
确认签名。
划线处。

E-reading

我的划线。
导出划线。
热门划线。
同步划线。

Manufacturing

工件划线。
划线精度。
划线工具。
测量划线。

Conversation Starters

"你读书的时候喜欢划线吗？ (Do you like to underline when you read?)"

"你觉得划线对记忆有帮助吗？ (Do you think underlining helps with memory?)"

"Kindle 上的热门划线功能你用过吗？ (Have you used the popular highlights feature on Kindle?)"

"老师刚才说要把哪里划线？ (Where did the teacher say to underline?)"

"这个词下面为什么要划线？ (Why is there an underline under this word?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一下你平时的读书习惯，你会划线吗？ (Describe your reading habits; do you underline?)

如果你的课本被别人划线划乱了，你会生气吗？ (Would you be angry if someone scribbled lines in your textbook?)

谈谈你对'划清界限'这个词的理解。 (Talk about your understanding of the phrase 'drawing a clear line'.)

为什么在考试中划线很重要？ (Why is underlining important in exams?)

想象一个没有划线功能的数字世界。 (Imagine a digital world without an underline function.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '划线' specifically means drawing a line underneath text. Highlighting (like with a yellow marker) is called '高亮' (gāoliàng) or '涂色' (túsè). In digital apps, they are sometimes used interchangeably, but '划线' is the literal term for underlining.

Yes, in casual conversation they are interchangeable because they sound the same (huàxiàn). However, in formal writing or exam instructions, '划线' is the standard and correct character to use.

On Chinese shopping sites, '划线价' (strikethrough price) is the original price of an item that has a line through it to show it's been discounted. It is not an underline, but the term '划线' is still used.

You say '双划线' (shuāng huàxiàn). This is often used for extra emphasis or in specific proofreading marks.

It is primarily a verb (to underline), but it can function as a noun in phrases like '划线部分' (the underlined part) or '我的划线' (my underlines/highlights).

Yes, for 'drawing a line' or 'marking', it is always 4th tone (huà). If it's 2nd tone (huá), it means 'to row' or 'to slip'.

The most common measure word is '条' (tiáo), as in '一条线'. You can also use '道' (dào) for a stroke or line.

Yes, you can use it to describe drawing a path or a boundary on a map, though '画线' or '标出' is also very common there.

The menu option is usually labeled '下划线' (xiàhuàxiàn) or simply represented by the 'U' icon.

'划线' is the action. '下划线' is the name of the underscore. To say 'underline the word', use '在单词下面划线'.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Translate: Please underline the new words.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Uses the '在...下面' pattern.