肩を並べる

• 読み: かたをならべる
• ローマ字: kata wo naraberu
• 漢字の分解: 肩 (ken/kata) — shoulder; 並 (hei/nara) — line up, be equal
• 発音: /ka.ta.o.na.ɾa.be.ɾɯ/

意味

To stand shoulder-to-shoulder; to be on equal footing; to rival; to be comparable to.

An expression using Group 2 (ichidan) verb 並べる. Literally 'to line up shoulders,' meaning to be at the same level as someone — either physically walking side by side or figuratively being comparable in ability, status, or achievement. Often used with と to indicate the person or entity being matched.

例文

1. この若い選手はベテランと肩を並べる実力がある。
2. 日本の技術は世界のトップと肩を並べている。
3. 姉と肩を並べて歩けるほど背が伸びた。

使い方ガイド

場面: competition, comparison, achievement

トーン: respectful

起源と歴史

A physical metaphor: when two people can place their shoulders (肩) side by side (並べる), they are of equal height and stature. Extended to mean matching someone in ability or achievement.

文化的背景

時代: Edo period

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal