Translation guide
How to express 'deal out' in Japanese, covering distributing items, dealing cards, and figurative uses like dispensing justice or punishment.
deal out cards
deal out handouts
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.
The teacher dealt out the handouts.
He dealt out sweets to the children.
More formal, emphasizes fair division or allocation. Often used for resources, profits, or tasks.
They dealt out the profits to the shareholders.
Literary or poetic nuance of sharing out, often with a sense of generosity or sacrifice.
He dealt out food to the poor.
To distribute cards to players in a card game.
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).
The judge dealt out a harsh sentence.
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.
配る is only for physical items or cards. For dealing out justice, punishment, etc., use 下す or 与える.
deal out justice (incorrect)
Whose turn is it to deal?
God deals out justice.
彼は敵に致命的な打撃を与えた。
He dealt out a fatal blow to the enemy.
The teacher dealt out punishment to the mischievous students.