1.
to pile up, to be stacked
For things to be placed one on top of another.
本が重なっている。
The books are piled up.
皿が重なっている。
The plates are stacked.
机の上に書類が何枚も重なっていた。
Several documents were piled up on the desk.
2.
to overlap, to coincide
For things to occur at the same time or place.
予定が重なった。
My schedules overlapped.
不幸が重なる。
Misfortunes pile up.
友達の結婚式と出張の日程が重なってしまった。
My friend's wedding and my business trip schedule ended up overlapping.
重なる is an intransitive godan verb meaning to pile up, overlap, or coincide.
TRANSITIVITY PAIR:
- 重なる (自動詞): to pile up (intransitive)
- 重ねる (他動詞): to stack (transitive)
PHYSICAL STACKING:
- 本が重なる: books pile up
- 雪が重なる: snow accumulates
- 皿が重なる: plates are stacked
OVERLAPPING/COINCIDING:
- 予定が重なる: schedules overlap
- 不幸が重なる: misfortunes pile up
- 偶然が重なる: coincidences multiply
ACCUMULATION:
- 努力が重なる: efforts accumulate
- 経験が重なる: experience builds up
- 年月が重なる: years pass/accumulate