Which one should you use?
While compartir is the general term for sharing, distribuir is used when you specifically mean to distribute or share something among a group of people. In Mexico, the colloquial term cotorrear can be used to mean sharing a conversation or chatting.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the colloquial expression cotorrear is used to mean 'to share a conversation' or 'to chat.'
How does it change in a sentence?
Compartir is a regular -ir verb in the present tense. To express 'to share it' when referring to a specific object, you attach the direct object pronoun to the end of the infinitive: compartirlo for a masculine object or compartirla for a feminine object. The past participle is compartido, which is used to form perfect tenses or as an adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
/kompaɾˈtiɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb compartir shares a common ancestor with the English word 'compartment', as both stem from the Latin root meaning 'to divide into parts'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, compartir is a social expectation during meals, where dishes are placed in the center of the table for everyone to share rather than ordering individual plates.
- In certain regions, the expression compartir el sentimiento is used to express empathy or 'sharing the feeling' during times of grief.
Examples in context
- ¿Vas a compartir eso?Are you going to share that?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is going to share something using compartir.Tatoeba #4471189 by DarkHollow, translation #4458088 by danepo
- Yanni no teme compartir.Yanni is not afraid to share.This sentence uses compartir to describe someone who is not afraid to share.Tatoeba #10024726 by manufrutos, translation #10024094 by Amastan
- Quería compartirlo con vos.I wanted to share it with you.This sentence shows how to use the form compartirlo to say 'to share it' with someone.Tatoeba #2590911 by hayastan, translation #2013975 by CK
- Me gustaría compartir algunas ideas sobre el proyecto.I would like to share some ideas about the project.
- ¡Vamos a compartir un helado!Let's share an ice cream!
- ¿Puedes repartir los dulces entre los niños?Can you share the candies among the children?
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are at a cafe deciding what to order.
- Mateo¿Podemos compartir un postre?Can we share a dessert?
- LucíaSí, me parece una buena idea.Yes, I think that's a good idea.
- MateoEntonces, voy a pedir el pastel de chocolate.Then, I am going to order the chocolate cake.
- LucíaPerfecto, Mateo, yo pediré un café.Perfect, Mateo, I will order a coffee.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry compartir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compartir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
