(そろ)える

そろえる
verb (ichidan)
to arrange, to collect
1. to arrange, to put in order
To line things up neatly.
(くつ)(そろ)える。
To arrange shoes neatly.
(いき)(そろ)える。
To synchronize breathing.
(いえ)(はい)(まえ)(くつ)(そろ)えてください。
Please arrange your shoes neatly before entering the house.
2. to collect, to gather
To bring together a complete set.
道具(どうぐ)(そろ)える。
To gather the necessary tools.
材料(ざいりょう)(そろ)える。
To gather the ingredients.
必要(ひつよう)書類(しょるい)(そろ)えた。
I gathered the necessary documents.

(そろ)える means to arrange neatly or gather together.

TRANSITIVITY PAIR:

  • (そろ)える (transitive): to arrange, gather
  • (そろ)う (intransitive): to be complete, be aligned

COMMON USES:

  • (くつ)(そろ)える: to arrange shoes neatly
  • 材料(ざいりょう)(そろ)える: to gather ingredients
  • 足並(あしな)みを(そろ)える: to get in step
  • (いき)(そろ)える: to synchronize breathing
  • 条件(じょうけん)(そろ)える: to meet all conditions

CONJUGATION (ichidan):

  • (そろ)えない (negative)
  • (そろ)えて (te-form)
  • (そろ)えた (past)

CULTURE:
Arranging shoes neatly when entering a home is important Japanese etiquette.