Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 分担する | buntan suru | |
| 分ける | wakeru | [β̞a̠ke̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
The word you choose depends on what is being shared. Use 分担する when referring to sharing responsibilities, duties or a burden. Use 分ける when the meaning refers to physically dividing an object or splitting a whole into smaller portions. If you are talking about a portion of something, you might use nouns like 分担, 部分 or 持分. To refer to a financial instrument or stock, use 株 or 株式.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 分担する is a suru-verb composed of the noun 分担 (buntan) and the verb する (suru, to do). The noun 分担 itself means division of duties, combining 分 (to divide) and 担 (to shoulder or bear a burden).
Which one should you use?
分担する is used specifically for sharing tasks or responsibilities among people, whereas 分ける is used for the act of dividing or splitting up physical objects.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
分担する is a suru-verb, which is formed by attaching the noun 分担 to the verb する.
How do you pronounce it?
buntan suru
Did you know?
- When talking about sharing an expense, Japanese speakers often use the word 割り勘 (warikan), which comes from a word meaning 'to divide' and 'chop', rather than using a direct translation of 'share'.
- To describe 'sharing' an experience or feeling, Japanese speakers often use 共有する (kyōyū suru), a word that literally means 'joint possession'.
- The kanji 担 in 分担する depicts a person carrying a load on a pole across their shoulders, visually representing the act of bearing a burden.
Examples in context
- 彼はお菓子を友達と分け合った。He shared the snacks with his friends.
- プロジェクトの利益を社員に公平に分配する必要があります。We need to share the project's profits equally among the employees.
- 友達と写真をシェアしよう！Let's share the photos with our friends!
- ピザをみんなでわけよう！Let's share the pizza together!
- 役割を分担する。Yakuwari o buntan suru.To divide and distribute the roles.
- 仕事の負担を分担する。Shigoto no futan o buntan suru.To share/distribute the workload.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “share” translations and entries 分ける, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
