Translation guide
To walk in a formal, organized line, often for ceremonial, religious, or celebratory purposes. Japanese has several verbs depending on the nuance—marching, parading, or proceeding solemnly.
To walk in an organized group, often with a rhythmic step, like in a parade or demonstration.
The most common and neutral word for marching or parading in a group, such as in a parade, protest, or military march.
デモ隊が街を行進した。
The demonstrators marched through the streets.
The brass band played while marching.
Specifically for festive, celebratory parades with floats, costumes, etc. Borrowed from English.
ハロウィンで仮装してパレードした。
We dressed up and paraded for Halloween.
To walk slowly and formally in a religious rite, funeral, or official ceremony.
Used for a formal procession, often religious or ceremonial, like a wedding or funeral procession. Can also mean 'to form a line/queue' in daily life.
僧侶たちが本堂へ行列した。
The monks processed into the main hall.
結婚式の行列が教会に入っていった。
The wedding procession entered the church.
To parade or walk slowly in a group, often for festivals (matsuri) with portable shrines, or for promotional events. Has a lively, sometimes showy nuance.
A formal, technical term for the procession of a deity (in a portable shrine) during a Shinto festival. Rare in everyday speech.
神輿が氏子地域を渡御する。
The portable shrine processes through the parish area.
To move in a single file or orderly line, resembling a procession, but not necessarily ceremonial.
Literally 'walk forming a line'. Used when people or animals walk in a line, like ants or schoolchildren.
子どもたちが列をなして歩いていた。
The children were walking in a line.
アリが列をなして歩いている。
Ants are walking in a procession.
行進 emphasizes the act of marching with steps, often for demonstrations or military. 行列 is a broader term for a line or procession, including queues and ceremonial processions. パレード is specifically a festive, showy parade.
行列する can sound too formal for casual situations. For simply walking in a line (like kids on a field trip), use 列をなして歩く or 一列で歩く.
祭りで神輿を担いで町を練り歩いた。
We carried the portable shrine and paraded through town during the festival.