(なら)

ならぶ
verb (godan)
to line up
自動詞 intransitiveaction
See also: (なら)べる (transitive), 一列(いちれつ)(なら) (transitive)
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Present(なら)(なら)ばない
Present polite(なら)びます(なら)びません
Past(なら)んだ(なら)ばなかった
Past polite(なら)びました(なら)びませんでした
て form(なら)んで(なら)ばなくて
ている present(なら)んでいる(なら)んでいない
ている polite(なら)んでいます(なら)んでいません
ている past(なら)んでいた(なら)んでいなかった
ている past polite(なら)んでいました(なら)んでいませんでした
Conditional ば(なら)べば(なら)ばなければ
Conditional たら(なら)んだら(なら)ばなかったら
Volitional(なら)ぼう
Volitional polite(なら)びましょう
Potential(なら)べる(なら)べない
Passive(なら)ばれる(なら)ばれない
Causative(なら)ばせる(なら)ばせない
Imperative(なら)(なら)ぶな
1. to line up, to queue
To form a line, or to sit or stand in a row. Intransitive - the people or things themselves are what line up, marked with が. The transitive pair is (なら)べる (naraberu), used when someone arranges the things.
ここ(なら)んでください
Please line up here.
(ひと)たくさん(なら)んでいます
Many people are lined up.
Books are lined up on the shelf.
There was a long line in front of the shop, and everyone was waiting in line.
The children lined up in two rows as the teacher instructed, and quietly started walking.

Transitivity: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). Pair: (なら)べる (transitive). Pattern: X(なら)ぶ (X lines up).

Aspect:いる indicates resulting state. (なら)んでいる = 'is lined up' (in a line currently).

Common patterns

Contrast with the pair: the subject of (なら)ぶ is the thing in the line, while the subject of (なら)べる is the person doing the arranging. (ほん)(なら)んでいる = the books are in a row; (ほん)(なら)べる = someone lines the books up.

Usage: queuing is a strong social norm in Japan, so (なら)ぶ turns up constantly in everyday instructions and signs - at station platforms, shop entrances, and ticket counters.