Translation guide
The English verb 'align' covers physical arrangement, agreement of ideas, and supporting a group. This guide helps learners choose natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To put objects in a straight row or adjust their position so they are even.
Transitive verb meaning to line up or arrange objects side by side. Common for physical alignment.
Please align the desks in a straight line.
Transitive verb meaning to make things even, uniform, or aligned, often with attention to edges or levels.
I aligned the spines of the books and placed them on the shelf.
Formal or technical term meaning to make things form a line or row. Often used for people or objects in precise arrangements.
The students were aligned by height.
Emphasizes arranging in a perfectly straight line. Used when precision is important.
Please align the chairs in a straight line.
To bring components into correct relative position, such as wheels, bones, or mechanical parts.
General verb for adjusting or regulating position. Works for mechanical alignment, posture, etc.
I had the car's wheel alignment adjusted.
Literally 'do position matching'. Used in technical contexts like aligning parts in manufacturing or printing.
Medical/orthodontic term for correcting alignment, such as teeth or bones.
I got braces to align my teeth.
To make different opinions, plans, or standards consistent with each other.
Transitive verb meaning to bring into agreement or conformity. Common for aligning opinions, policies, or data.
We need to align our goals with the company's strategy.
Idiom meaning 'to get in step' or 'to act in unison'. Used when coordinating actions or opinions within a group.
Versatile verb meaning to match or adjust one thing to another. Can be used for schedules, standards, or opinions.
Formal term for ensuring consistency or coherence, often used in business or IT contexts.
To ally oneself with someone or something, often politically or ideologically.
Means to cooperate or form an alliance with. Commonly used in business or organizational contexts.
Our company aligned with an environmental group to run a campaign.
Literally 'stand on the side of'. Expresses taking someone's side in a conflict or debate.
He always aligns himself with the underdog.
General verb for supporting a person, idea, or policy. Less about alliance and more about endorsement.
並べる focuses on arranging in a line or row, while 揃える emphasizes making edges or levels even. For aligning books on a shelf, 揃える is better for making spines flush; 並べる is better for putting them in order.
I lined up the books neatly.
I aligned the heights of the books.
Avoid directly translating 'align with' as 〜と整列する or 〜と並ぶ when meaning agreement or support. Use 一致させる, 連携する, or 足並みを揃える instead.
Please align the plates before printing.
Let's align the whole team and move forward with the project.
Please align your schedule with everyone else's.
We need to align the data between systems.
The politician aligns with the new policy.