Translation guide
Describes people or things arranged side by side in a line. Japanese uses verbs like 並ぶ (narabu) for the state or action of lining up, and 並んでいる (narande iru) for the ongoing state of being in a row. The choice depends on whether you are describing the arrangement itself or the action of getting into that arrangement.
Describe a scene where multiple people or objects are already arranged in a row.
The most common way to say that people or things are standing/placed in a row. Uses the te-iru form of 並ぶ (narabu) to indicate a continuing state.
人々が一列に並んでいる。
People are standing in a row.
The books are lined up neatly on the shelf.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to stand in a row' or 'to be lined up'. Often used in dictionary forms to describe the state, but 並んでいる is more common for ongoing states.
家が道に沿って並ぶ。
Houses stand in a row along the road.
Passive form of 並べる (naraberu), meaning 'are arranged in a row' by someone. Emphasizes that the arrangement was done intentionally.
机が一列に並べられている。
The desks are arranged in a row.
Describe the action of people or things moving into a row formation.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to line up' or 'to stand in a row'. Used when the subject itself moves into position.
生徒たちは廊下に並んだ。
The students lined up in the hallway.
チケットを買うために並ぶ。
Line up to buy tickets.
Transitive verb meaning 'to line something up' or 'to arrange in a row'. The subject arranges objects or other people.
More formal or literary expressions for standing in a row.
Literally 'stand like a forest', used for tall objects like buildings or trees standing in rows. Not used for people.
高層ビルが林立している。
Skyscrapers stand in rows.
A literary phrase meaning 'to form a row/line'. Can be used for people or things.
参拝者が長い列をなしている。
Worshippers are standing in a long row.
並ぶ (narabu) is intransitive: the subject itself lines up. 並べる (naraberu) is transitive: someone lines something up. Compare: 生徒が並ぶ (students line up) vs 先生が生徒を並べる (the teacher lines up the students).
Adding 一列に (in one row/line) clarifies that it's a single row, not multiple rows. 二列に (niretsu ni) means 'in two rows'.
先生は子供たちを一列に並べた。
The teacher lined up the children in a row.
椅子を壁に沿って並べてください。
Please line up the chairs along the wall.