平行线

平行線

píngxíngxiàn

noun #45,552

Measure Word

两条平行线 tiáo

Meanings

1 parallel lines (geometry)
2 two things that never meet or intersect

Characters

level; parallel

Examples

HSK 7-9

两条平行线在同一平面内永远不相交。

Liǎng tiáo píngxíngxiàn zài tóngyī píngmiàn nèi yǒngyuǎn bù xiāngjiāo.

Two parallel lines in the same plane never intersect.

HSK 7-9

我们俩的人生像两条平行线，再也没有交集。

Wǒmen liǎ de rénshēng xiàng liǎng tiáo píngxíngxiàn, zàiyě méiyǒu jiāojí.

Our two lives are like parallel lines - we no longer have anything in common.

Tips

usage

Standard geometry term but heavily used as a romantic / philosophical metaphor in song lyrics and writing: 我们是两条平行线 'we are two parallel lines' = we will never be together. The associated phrase 平行线永不相交 ('parallel lines never meet') is itself a popular Chinese trope for unrequited love or destined separation.

Stroke Order

平 píng

行 xíng

线 xiàn