連ねる

つらねる

to link, to join, to put together

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The verb 連ねる (つらねる) means "to link," "to join," or "to put together in a row or series." It is often used to describe things arranged side by side or listed consecutively.

Common Contexts

  1. Physically lining up objects or places, such as shops or houses along a street.
  2. Listing or naming multiple items, people, or achievements consecutively.
  3. Figuratively associating oneself or something with others, often to imply prestige or connection.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 店を連ねる: to line up shops, used when describing a street or area with many shops in a row.
  • 賞を連ねる: to accumulate awards, often used to emphasize many achievements.
  • 名前を連ねる: to list names, often implying association or grouping.

Register and Nuance

連ねる is a formal verb often found in written or formal spoken Japanese. It conveys a sense of order and connection, either physical or abstract. It is not casual and is unlikely to be used in everyday informal conversation.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 連ねる with 連なる (つらなる), which is an intransitive verb meaning "to be lined up" or "to extend." Remember, 連ねる is transitive and requires a direct object (things you line up), while 連なる describes the state of being lined up.

Example Sentences

かれはおおくのしょうをつらねている。

He has won many awards.

えきからがっこうまでみせがずらりとつらねている。

Shops are lined up in a row from the station to the school.

かのじょはじぶんのなまえをゆうめいじんのなまえとつらねてはなした。

She mentioned her name alongside famous people’s names.