Translation guide
The English phrase "line up" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: forming a queue, arranging things in a line, and organizing or scheduling something.
To stand in a line with other people, waiting for something.
The most common and natural way to say 'line up' or 'queue up' in Japanese. It's a general verb used for people forming a line.
人気のラーメン店の前に長い列が並んでいた。
A long line had formed in front of the popular ramen shop.
チケットを買うために、朝早くから並んだ。
I lined up early in the morning to buy tickets.
Literally 'make a line'. Slightly more descriptive, often used when a line is forming spontaneously or when giving instructions.
入り口の前に列を作ってお待ちください。
Please form a line in front of the entrance and wait.
A more formal or written term for queuing. Often used in news or official contexts.
新製品の発売日に、多くの人が店の前に行列した。
On the release day of the new product, many people lined up in front of the store.
To place objects or people in a straight row or line.
Transitive verb meaning 'to line up (objects)'. Use this when you are arranging things in a line.
机の上に本をきれいに並べた。
I lined up the books neatly on the desk.
子どもたちを身長順に並べてください。
Please line up the children in order of height.
Explicitly says 'in one line'. Useful when clarity is needed.
椅子を一列に並べてください。
Please line up the chairs in a single row.
To plan or arrange for something to happen, such as a meeting, event, or task.
Means 'to arrange' or 'to make arrangements'. Commonly used for booking, scheduling, or organizing logistics.
会議のために会場を手配した。
I lined up a venue for the meeting.
彼はインタビューの手配をしてくれた。
He lined up an interview for me.
Means 'to prepare'. Can be used when 'line up' implies getting things ready or organized.
プロジェクトのために必要なリソースを準備した。
I lined up the necessary resources for the project.
Means 'to adjust' or 'to coordinate'. Used when 'line up' involves coordinating schedules or details.
全員のスケジュールを調整するのは大変だ。
It's tough to line up everyone's schedules.
並ぶ (narabu) is intransitive and means 'to be lined up' or 'to form a line' (things/people themselves). To say you line something up, use the transitive verb 並べる (naraberu).
並ぶ (intransitive): 人が並ぶ (people line up). 並べる (transitive): 人が本を並べる (a person lines up books).