Translation guide
How to express the concept of 'distribution' in Japanese, covering handing out items, geographical spread, statistical patterns, and business logistics.
The act of giving out things like flyers, food, or supplies to multiple recipients.
Most common for distributing physical items like handouts, flyers, or goods to a group. Often used in formal or organized contexts.
会議の資料を配布した。
I distributed the meeting materials.
無料サンプルを配布しています。
We are distributing free samples.
Everyday verb for handing out or distributing things to people. More casual than 配布.
子供たちにお菓子を配った。
I handed out sweets to the children.
新聞を配る仕事をしています。
I have a job delivering newspapers.
Dividing and distributing something among a group, often money, profits, or resources. Implies fair or proportional sharing.
利益を株主に分配する。
Distribute profits to shareholders.
How something is spread across an area, like population, stores, or species.
Used for the geographical distribution of things like plants, animals, population, or phenomena. Common in academic and descriptive contexts.
この植物の分布は限られている。
The distribution of this plant is limited.
人口の分布が偏っている。
The population distribution is uneven.
Arrangement or layout of things in a space, like furniture, personnel, or equipment. Focuses on intentional placement.
The way values are spread in a dataset, like normal distribution or income distribution.
The system of moving goods from producers to consumers, including warehousing and transportation.
Refers to the distribution of goods in commerce, including logistics, wholesale, and retail channels.
流通経路を改善する。
Improve the distribution channels.
この商品は全国に流通している。
This product is distributed nationwide.
Physical distribution, focusing on transportation, warehousing, and delivery. More about the physical movement of goods.
Making software, music, video, etc. available to users, often online.
Streaming or distributing digital content over the internet. Used for live streams, video on demand, software updates, etc.
音楽を配信するサービス。
A service that distributes music.
アプリを配信する。
Distribute an app.
Formal term for distributing publications or software, often used in legal or official contexts. Less common in everyday speech.
配布 (haifu) is formal and often used for organized distribution of materials. 配る (kubaru) is the everyday verb for handing out. 分配 (bunpai) implies dividing something among people, like profits or tasks.
チラシを配布する（フォーマル）
Distribute flyers (formal)
チラシを配る（カジュアル）
Hand out flyers (casual)
利益を分配する
Distribute profits
流通 (ryūtsū) covers the entire commercial distribution system, including marketing and sales channels. 物流 (butsuryū) specifically refers to physical logistics: transportation, warehousing, and delivery.
We changed the distribution of stores.
物流コストを削減する。
Reduce distribution costs.
Software distribution terms.