die Mittellinie
center line
A line that divides an area, especially a playing field, into two halves.
EXAMPLE
Der Anstoß beim Fußball erfolgt von der Mittellinie aus.
In soccer, the kick-off takes place from the center line.
die Mittellinie
center line
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Meanings
die Mittellinie
center line
The marking in the middle of a road that separates the lanes for opposite directions of travel.
EXAMPLE
Beim Überholen darf die durchgezogene Mittellinie nicht überfahren werden.
When overtaking, the solid center line must not be crossed.
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is a simple and logical compound made up of 'die Mitte' (the middle) and 'die Linie' (the line). So it describes a line that is located exactly in the middle of an area.
EXAMPLE
Der Ball muss beim Anstoß auf der Mittellinie liegen.
The ball must be on the center line for the kick-off.
Context clue
The context makes the meaning clear. Words like 'Spielfeld' (playing field), 'Sport' (sport), or 'Anstoß' (kick-off) point to the line in sports. Words like 'Straße' (road), 'Verkehr' (traffic), or 'überholen' (to overtake) refer to the marking on a roadway.
EXAMPLE
Die Spieler stellten sich an der Mittellinie auf.
The players lined up at the center line.
Important adjectives
In road traffic, the distinction is important: a 'durchgezogene Mittellinie' (solid center line) must not be crossed, while a 'gestrichelte Mittellinie' (dashed center line) may be crossed.
EXAMPLE
Da die Mittellinie hier durchgezogen ist, darfst du nicht überholen.
Since the center line is solid here, you are not allowed to overtake.
Compare with
Mittellinie vs Leitlinie
guideline
For a road marking, Leitlinie refers to its guiding or separating function. Mittellinie refers to its position in the middle of the road and its role in separating traffic traveling in opposite directions. The same broken marking can therefore be named in both ways, depending on which aspect is being emphasized.
Mittellinie
Die unterbrochene Mittellinie trennt in der breiten Kurve die entgegengesetzten Fahrtrichtungen.
The broken center line separates traffic traveling in opposite directions through the wide curve.
Leitlinie
Die unterbrochene Leitlinie führt die Fahrzeuge durch die breite Kurve.
The broken guideline leads vehicles through the wide curve.
In real life
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