Meaning and Usage
The verb 並ぶ (ならぶ) primarily means "to line up" or "to stand in a line." It is an intransitive verb, so the subject itself arranges or forms a line without a direct object.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 並ぶ when talking about people lining up for something, such as at a store, event, or ticket counter. It is also used to describe objects arranged neatly side by side, like books or products on a shelf.
Collocations and Patterns
- 店の前に並ぶ: to line up in front of a store, common when waiting for popular shops or sales.
- きれいに並ぶ: to be neatly lined up, often describing objects.
- チケットを買うために並ぶ: to line up to buy tickets, a frequent real-life situation.
Register and Nuance
並ぶ is a neutral, everyday word suitable for casual and polite conversation. It does not carry formal or informal connotations by itself.
Common Learner Mistake
Confusing 並ぶ (intransitive) with 並べる (ならべる, transitive) which means "to arrange" or "to line up" something. Remember, 並ぶ is used when the subject itself forms a line, while 並べる is used when someone arranges things or people.