Meaning

Primary

To Line Up

Alternatives

To Be Lined Up, To Stand In Line, To Be On Par

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

The kanji itself means line up, and this is the intransitive verb version of that, which makes this to line up or to be lined up. You can remember this because you keep saying boo (), why is everyone already lined up? If you were the one in charge of lining things up, you wouldn't have to stand in line yourself…

Figuratively, this can also mean to be on par, as in someone or something matches or is comparable in ability, status, or ranking to another (as if they are aligned side by side in comparison).

Reading

ならぶ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you: Only for you, when you visit Nara (なら), the deer there are to be lined up for you to inspect, as you are the deer inspector. If you don't know about Nara and its deer, you should look it up, they're pretty awesome.

Context

Context Sentences

エコバッグを買うために十二時間も行列に並ぶなんて信じられないよ。

I can’t believe that people wait in line for twelve hours just to get some eco-friendly bags.

危ないですから白線の内側にお並びください。

It's dangerous, so please line up inside the white line.

割りこまないで下さい。私達が先ですよ。みんな並んでいるんですから、あなたもちゃんと並ぶべきです。列の最後尾はあちらです。

Please don't push in. We were here first. Everybody is waiting in line, so you should take your place in the queue like everyone else too. The end of the line is that way.

Kanji Composition