Translation guide
To be positioned in a line, side by side. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with verbs like 並ぶ (narabu) for intransitive 'to be lined up' and 並べる (naraberu) for transitive 'to line things up'. The choice depends on whether the subject is doing the action or the state is being described.
Describing a state where multiple people or objects are already in a row, or the action of them getting into a row by themselves.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to stand in a line', 'to be lined up', or 'to form a line'. Used when the subject itself is in a row or gets into a row.
The children are standing in a row.
People lined up to buy tickets.
Specifically 'to stand in a single row'. Adds clarity when the number of rows matters.
The students entered the classroom standing in a single row.
Formal verb meaning 'to line up' or 'to fall in'. Often used in military, school, or formal settings.
The soldiers stood in a row.
When someone deliberately places objects or people in a line.
Describing a scene where things are already in a row, often using the te-iru form.
The te-iru form of 並ぶ indicates a continuing state: 'are standing in a row'.
Trees are standing in a row along the road.
並ぶ (narabu) is intransitive: the subject itself lines up. 並べる (naraberu) is transitive: someone lines something up. Compare: 人が並ぶ (people line up) vs. 人が物を並べる (people line things up).
Avoid directly translating 'stand' as 立つ (tatsu) when meaning 'to be in a row'. 立つ means to stand upright, not to form a line. Use 並ぶ or 並べる instead.
The teacher lined up the students by height.