揃える

• Reading: そろえる
• Romaji: soroeru
• Kanji breakdown: 揃 (sorou/soroeru) — align, arrange, make uniform
• Pronunciation: /so.ɾo.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To put in order; to arrange; to make uniform. The act of gathering or aligning things into a complete set.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb and the transitive counterpart of 揃う. Used for actively organizing: 靴を揃える (to line up shoes neatly), 道具を揃える (to gather all tools), 歩調を揃える (to match pace). Implies intentional effort to create order or completeness.

Examples

1. 玄関で靴をきれいに揃えてください。 Please line up your shoes neatly at the entrance.
2. キャンプに必要な道具を揃えた。 I gathered all the gear needed for camping.
3. チームの意見を揃えるのは難しい。 It's hard to get everyone on the team on the same page.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, organization, teamwork

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Transitive form of 揃う. The kanji 揃 combines 扌(hand radical) and 前 (front) — using hands to bring things into alignment.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal