並ぶ
narabu[na̠ɾa̠bɯ̟]
To line up in Japanese is to say 並ぶ (narabu).
The verb 並ぶ means to get into a line or to be in a line.
Meaning: get into a line (verb)
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between the intransitive and transitive use of similar verbs. 並ぶ (narabu) is used when the person or thing is doing the lining up (e.g., "people are lining up").
How do you pronounce it?
narabu
Did you know?
- The word 並ぶ (narabu) can also be used figuratively to mean 'to be comparable to' someone's skill or status.
- Japanese culture values 並ぶ (lining up) so highly that people will often form long, orderly queues for limited-edition snacks or new technology even before a store officially opens.
- The verb 並ぶ (narabu) can also be used to describe two things being 'side by side' rather than in a single file line, such as two houses standing next to each other.
Examples in context
- 整列してくださいPlease form a straight line.
- レジの前に並ぶ。Reji no mae ni narabu.Line up in front of the register.
Example conversation
Two friends are waiting for a new movie release.
- 大翔 Hiroto人が多いね。どこで並ぶ？Hito ga ooi ne. Doko de narabu?There are a lot of people. Where do we line up?
- 陽葵 Himariあそこの看板の前で並ぼう。Asoko no kanban no mae de narabou.Let's line up in front of that sign.
- 大翔 Hirotoわかった。すごく時間がかかりそうだね。Wakatta. Sugoku jikan ga kakarisou da ne.Got it. It looks like it will take a long time.
- 陽葵 Himari大丈夫。ゆっくり待とう。Daijoubu. Yukkuri matou.It's okay. Let's just wait patiently.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “line up” translations and entries 並ぶ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
