xian

[wontonsoup]

wat's the diff between 線 and 綫?

[wolfman]

线　is Line 腺 is Adenovirus

[SChinFChin]

The same. See dictionary links:

http://www.yellowbridge.com/chinese/charsearch.php?searchChinese=1&zi=%E7%B6%AB

http://www.yellowbridge.com/chinese/charsearch.php?searchChinese=1&zi=%E7%B7%9A

[skylee]

They are the same. Other pairs of characters which look different but are actually the same include -

裡 and 裏

峰 and 峯

群 and 羣

鵝 and 鵞

etc

[wontonsoup]

oh, i see, so why are there two names for the one thing?

and which in this case is used more often?

[skylee]

There is "jail". And there is "gaol". Why are there two spellings for the same word?

[SChinFChin]

oh, i see, so why are there two names for the one thing?

and which in this case is used more often?

It's like two spellings for the same word, as between American English and British English, often we get:

- "vigor" versus "vigour"

- "defence" versus "defense"

- "Michele" versue "Michelle" (my girl's name)

In the Chinese newspapers where I am, I find 線 in more common use.

[Lu]

I always see 線 used.

As to why: this is a language, there is no why.

[skylee]

"綫" is commonly used in HK, such as in this website -> http://www.mtr.com.hk/chi/airport_express/aepass_index.html

[zaiyiwang]

they all equla with 线,but '线' is the standard writing

[skylee]

but '线' is the standard writing

On the mainland, perhaps.

[NightDrizzle]

In Simplified Chinese system, they are joined into 线, literally meaing "thread"。