HOME > WordMaster® > (telephone)LINE/ON THE LINE | 電話回線/電話に出ている

For Life
2005.03.28(Review of 2000.10.05 edition)

Hello! Thanks for joining us again!

This week and next, we're going to be introducing you to a set of expressions that concern a certain piece of equipment that it would be very hard to live without these days - the telephone.

... Oh! That's it ringing now!

Today's LessonCATEGORY: 間違えやすいボキャブラリー
(telephone) LINE / ON THE LINE
電話回線/電話に出ている

Explanation

  • A telephone line is a wire connection from a phone to the outside.

    If someone is on the line, they are talking on the phone.

    If someone is on another line, they are talking on the phone using a different line.

    Be Careful! Don't confuse the expression on the line with “online”, which means “to be connected to a computer network such as the Internet”.
  • telephone line は、電話回線のことです。

    Someone is on the line. と言うと、その人が電話に出ている、という意味になります。

    Someone is on another line. と言うと、その人が別の電話に出ている、という意味になります。つまり、電話中という意味です。

    注意: on the line と online という表現を混同しないように注意してください。online とは、「インターネットなどのコンピューターネットワークに接続している状態」という意味です。

examples

  1. Our office gets almost 300 calls a day, so we've asked headquarters for two more telephone lines.
  2. (a secretary to her boss)
    a: Dave Jenkins is on the line.
    b: Tell him I'll call him back in five minutes.
  3. (on the phone)
    I think there's someone at the door. Stay on the line, I'll be right back.
  4. (on the phone)
    I'm sorry, but Mr. Anderson is on another line. Can I take a message?

英会話レッスンLet's talk again tomorrow, alright?