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.
彼は私を子供のように扱った。
He treated me like a child.
上司は部下を公平に扱うべきだ。
A boss should treat subordinates fairly.
Focuses on the attitude or manner of interacting with someone. More about interpersonal contact.
彼は誰に対しても丁寧に接する。
He treats everyone politely.
To treat someone as a guest, to entertain or host them. Used in hospitality contexts.
彼らは私たちを夕食でもてなしてくれた。
They treated us to dinner.
To give medical care or attempt to cure an illness or injury.
Standard verb for medical treatment. Can be used for diseases, injuries, etc.
この病気は抗生物質で治療できる。
This disease can be treated with antibiotics.
医者は彼のけがを治療した。
The doctor treated his injury.
Often used for first aid or immediate care, such as treating a wound.
看護師が傷を手当てしてくれた。
The nurse treated my wound.
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.
今日は私がおごるよ。
I'll treat you today.
彼はみんなに昼食をおごった。
He treated everyone to lunch.
More polite than おごる. Often used when treating someone to a meal.
今夜は私がごちそうします。
I'll treat you tonight.
The person being treated is marked with に, and the thing paid for with を.
友達にコーヒーをおごった。
I treated my friend to coffee.
To deal with or discuss a particular subject in speech or writing.
Same verb as for treating people, but used for topics, themes, or issues.
この本は環境問題を扱っている。
This book treats environmental issues.
彼の講演は幅広いテーマを扱った。
His lecture treated a wide range of themes.
More formal, means 'to state about' or 'to discuss'. Common in academic or formal contexts.
この章では経済成長について述べる。
This chapter treats economic growth.
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.
医者は患者を治療する。
A doctor treats a patient.
先生は生徒を公平に扱う。
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.
彼にランチをおごった。
I treated him to lunch.