食べ物を分け合う
tabemono o wakeau
The English phrase "share food" is translated into Japanese as 食べ物を分け合う (tabemono o wakeau).
The phrase is used to describe the act of dividing a portion of food among two or more people so that everyone can eat some.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb part, 分け合う, is a compound consisting of wakeru (to divide) and au (to do something together/each other).
Which one should you use?
While 食べ物を分け合う implies a mutual sharing between people, the phrase 食べ物を分ける simply means to divide or split something up.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the desire to share food, you attach tai to the stem of the verb: 食べ物を分け合いたい.
How do you pronounce it?
tabemono o wakeau
Did you know?
- If you are sharing food from a single plate in a group, you might use a pair of communal chopsticks called 取り箸 (tori-bashi) to avoid the social taboo of using your personal utensils.
- When sharing food, Japanese speakers often use the word お裾分け 'osuso-wake' to describe the act of giving a portion of a gift or a windfall to others.
- In Japanese culture, the concept of sharing food is deeply tied to the word 分かち合う (wakachiau), which is often used for more profound, abstract things like sharing one's heart or sharing grief.
Examples in context
- お祝いの席で料理を分け合いましょう。Let's share the dishes at the celebratory event.
- 今日の夜、飯をシェアしようよ！Let's share a meal tonight!
- 友達と食べ物を分け合う。Tomodachi to tabemono o wakeau.Share food with friends.
- みんなで食べ物を分け合うのは楽しいです。Minna de tabemono o wakeau no wa tanoshii desu.It is fun to share food with everyone.
