Japanese word

分ける

Pronunciation

Romajiwakeru

Meaning

  • verbshare, divide

Example

兄とケーキを分けます。ani to kē ki o wa ke ma su

I share the cake with my older brother.

Illustration for 分ける (share)

More examples

色紙を三つに分けます。iro gami o mit tsu ni wa ke ma su

I divide the colored paper into three parts.

旅行のお土産を家族で分けます。ryo kō no o miyage o ka zoku de wa ke ma su

I share the souvenirs from my trip with my family.

Core concept

Expresses separating something into parts or groups, often to distribute them or make each one available on its own.

Common phrases

  • みんなで分けるmi n na de wa ke ru

    share among everyone

  • お菓子を分けるo ka shi o wa ke ru

    share snacks

  • 友達と分けるtomo dachi to wa ke ru

    share with a friend

Similar words

分け合うwakeau: To share something among people so that everyone receives a portion.
配るkubaru: To hand out things to several people, usually one person at a time.
取り分けるtoriwakeru: To set aside separate portions from a larger amount.

Definition in Japanese

一つの物を複数人で一緒に使ったり食べたりできるように配分する。hito tsu no mono o fuku sū nin de is sho ni tsuka tta ri ta be ta ri de ki ru yō ni hai bun su ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 分ける (wakeru, "to divide") belongs to the same word family as 分かれる (wakareru, "to be divided"), expressing the idea of separating something into portions.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 分ける (wakeru) can describe sharing food among people, while English share often emphasizes joint possession or use rather than dividing it into portions.

Other meanings

  • separateverb

Opposites

  • 独り占めhitorijimeexclusive possessionnoun

Related words

  • 分け方wakekataway of sharingnoun

Word lists with this word