Meaning and Usage
The verb 並べる (ならべる) means "to put things side by side" or "to arrange in a row." It is commonly used when physically placing objects next to each other in an orderly fashion.
Common Contexts
You will often hear 並べる in everyday situations such as arranging books, toys, dishes, or other items neatly. It implies a deliberate and organized placement rather than random scattering.
Collocations and Patterns
- 本を並べる: to arrange books
- おもちゃを並べる: to line up toys
- 料理を並べる: to arrange dishes
These collocations show typical objects that are arranged using 並べる.
Register and Politeness
並べる is a neutral verb suitable for both casual and polite conversation. It is a common word used by all age groups.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 並べる with 整える (ととのえる), which means "to arrange" or "to prepare" but is more abstract and can refer to organizing non-physical things. 並べる specifically refers to physically placing items side by side.
Use 並べる when you want to emphasize the physical act of lining things up or placing them neatly next to each other.