Translation guide
The English verb 'treat' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: treating a person in a certain way, treating a medical condition, treating someone to something (paying for them), and treating a topic or subject. Each meaning has different natural Japanese equivalents.
To behave towards or deal with someone in a particular manner.
General verb for how you treat or handle a person. Often used with an adverb describing the manner.
He treated me like a child.
A boss should treat subordinates fairly.
Focuses on the attitude or manner of interacting with someone. More about interpersonal contact.
He treats everyone politely.
To treat someone as a guest, to entertain or host them. Used in hospitality contexts.
They treated us to dinner.
To give medical care or attempt to cure an illness or injury.
To pay for someone else's food, drink, entertainment, etc., as a gift or favor.
Casual and common way to say you will pay for someone. Often used among friends or colleagues.
I'll treat you today.
He treated everyone to lunch.
More polite than おごる. Often used when treating someone to a meal.
I'll treat you tonight.
The person being treated is marked with に, and the thing paid for with を.
I treated my friend to coffee.
To deal with or discuss a particular subject in speech or writing.
扱う is for how you treat people or topics. 治療する is specifically for medical treatment. Do not use 扱う for medical contexts.
A doctor treats a patient.
A teacher treats students fairly.
扱う cannot mean 'to pay for someone'. Use おごる or ごちそうする instead.
I treated him to lunch.
The nurse treated my wound.
His lecture treated a wide range of themes.
This chapter treats economic growth.