Translation guide
How to express 'deal out' in Japanese, covering distributing items, dealing cards, and figurative uses like dispensing justice or punishment.
To give out or distribute things to multiple people, such as supplies, food, or money.
The most common and versatile verb for distributing physical items to a group. Can be used for handouts, gifts, food, etc.
先生がプリントを配った。
The teacher dealt out the handouts.
彼は子供たちにお菓子を配った。
He dealt out sweets to the children.
More formal, emphasizes fair division or allocation. Often used for resources, profits, or tasks.
利益を株主に分配した。
They dealt out the profits to the shareholders.
Literary or poetic nuance of sharing out, often with a sense of generosity or sacrifice.
彼は貧しい人々に食べ物を分け与えた。
He dealt out food to the poor.
To distribute cards to players in a card game.
The standard verb for dealing cards. Can be used alone or with カードを.
カードを配ってください。
Please deal out the cards.
誰が配る番？
Whose turn is it to deal?
Explicitly says 'deal cards'. Natural and common.
彼は手際よくカードを配った。
He dealt out the cards efficiently.
To give out something abstract like justice, punishment, or criticism, often in a formal or authoritative manner.
Used for handing down judgments, decisions, or punishments from a position of authority. Often paired with 判決 (judgment) or 処罰 (punishment).
裁判官は厳しい判決を下した。
The judge dealt out a harsh sentence.
神は正義を下す。
God deals out justice.
A general verb for giving, can be used for abstract things like punishment or damage. Less formal than 下す.
Specifically 'to give punishment'. Common and straightforward.
先生はいたずらをした生徒に罰を与えた。
The teacher dealt out punishment to the mischievous students.
配る is only for physical items or cards. For dealing out justice, punishment, etc., use 下す or 与える.
正義を配る
deal out justice (incorrect)
彼は敵に致命的な打撃を与えた。
He dealt out a fatal blow to the enemy.