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répartir

A2 verb #3,500 most common 12 min read

répartir

Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips répartir in 30 Seconds

Explanation répartir in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of répartir as a way to say 'give to everyone' or 'put in different places.' Although it is a bit advanced for a complete beginner, you might see it in simple recipes or classroom instructions. Imagine you have ten candies and five friends. If you give two candies to each friend, you are 'répartissant' the candies. It is about making things even. At this stage, just remember that it involves taking one big thing and making it into several smaller, organized parts. You can use it with simple words like 'pommes' (apples), 'livres' (books), or 'enfants' (children). For example: 'Je répartis les pommes.' (I distribute the apples). It is a regular verb ending in -ir, so it follows the same pattern as 'finir' or 'choisir'. When you learn to say 'I finish' (je finis), you are also learning how to say 'I distribute' (je répartis). This makes it easier to remember! Just think of a teacher giving out papers in class; they are 'répartissant les feuilles'. Focus on the idea of 'sharing fairly' and you will understand the heart of this word.

At the A2 level, you should start using répartir to describe daily tasks and simple organization. This is especially useful for talking about chores at home or work responsibilities. Instead of just saying 'we share the work' (nous partageons le travail), you can say 'nous répartissons les tâches.' This sounds more precise and shows you are organizing the effort. In the kitchen, this word is very helpful. If you are making a cake and need to put the batter into three different pans, you are 'répartissant la pâte.' You will also hear this word when people talk about their schedule. 'Je répartis mon temps' means 'I divide my time.' It suggests that you have a plan for your day. Pay attention to the prepositions: we usually use 'entre' (between/among) when talking about people. For example, 'Il répartit l'argent entre ses amis.' It is important to distinguish this word from 'repartir' (to leave again). Remember the accent on the 'é'! This 'é' is like a little signpost that says 'we are dividing something here.' Use it when you want to sound more organized in your French conversations.

At the B1 level, répartir becomes a key word for discussing social issues, professional logistics, and more complex personal organization. You are no longer just dividing apples; you are 'répartissant les richesses' (distributing wealth) or 'répartissant les rôles' (assigning roles) in a theater play or a business project. You should be comfortable using the verb in various tenses, including the 'passé composé' and the 'futur simple.' For example, 'Le gouvernement a réparti les aides' (The government distributed the aid). At this level, you should also understand the noun form, 'la répartition.' You will see this in news articles about 'la répartition de la population' (how people are spread across a country). You can use 'répartir' to explain how you manage your budget or how a company manages its resources. It implies a sense of 'allocation'—making a conscious decision about where things go. It is more formal than 'partager' and more specific than 'donner.' If you are describing a process, 'répartir' helps you sound more professional. For instance, in a presentation, you might say, 'Nous avons réparti le budget sur quatre trimestres' (We allocated the budget over four quarters).

At the B2 level, you are expected to use répartir with nuance and precision. You understand that it is not just about physical distribution, but also about the abstract allocation of qualities, risks, or responsibilities. You might discuss 'la répartition des pouvoirs' (the distribution of power) in a political system or 'la répartition des risques' (risk distribution) in an insurance context. You should be able to use the pronominal form 'se répartir' fluently. For example, 'Les manifestants se sont répartis dans toute la ville' (The protesters spread out throughout the city). You can also use it to describe statistical distributions: 'Les notes se répartissent selon une courbe normale' (The grades are distributed according to a normal curve). At this level, you are sensitive to the difference between 'répartir' and its synonyms like 'distribuer,' 'allouer,' or 'ventiler.' You know that 'ventiler' is used in accounting for breaking down costs, whereas 'répartir' is more general. Your sentences should be more complex, incorporating adverbs like 'équitablement,' 'proportionnellement,' or 'judicieusement' to describe how the distribution is happening. This word is essential for writing essays on social or economic topics, where the 'répartition' of resources is often a central theme.

At the C1 level, your use of répartir should reflect a deep understanding of its stylistic and technical applications. You can use it in literary or high-level academic contexts to describe the 'répartition' of themes in a novel or the 'répartition' of species in an ecosystem. You understand the subtle connotations of the word—how it suggests a deliberate, often systemic, organization. You might use it to critique a system: 'L'échec de cette politique réside dans une mauvaise répartition des moyens' (The failure of this policy lies in a poor allocation of resources). You are also adept at using the word in passive constructions to focus on the result rather than the actor: 'Les richesses sont inégalement réparties sur le globe.' You can use it metaphorically as well, such as 'répartir ses efforts' to mean pacing oneself during a long-term project. In professional negotiations, you might use 'répartir' to discuss the division of equity or the 'répartition des dividendes.' Your vocabulary is rich enough to avoid overusing the word, choosing 'dispenser,' 'octroyer,' or 'scinder' when those words provide a more exact nuance. However, 'répartir' remains your primary verb for describing any system of division and placement.

At the C2 level, répartir is a word you use with effortless precision, often in highly specialized or philosophical contexts. You might discuss the 'répartition' of linguistic features across dialects or the 'répartition' of light in a complex artistic composition. You are capable of using the word to describe the very structure of thought or society. For example, 'La structure sociale se répartit en strates imperméables' (The social structure is divided into impermeable strata). You understand the historical evolution of the word and its relationship to other Latin-derived terms of division. In high-level administration or law, you use 'répartir' to describe the 'répartition des compétences' between different levels of government (e.g., federal vs. local). You can use it in a poetic sense as well, describing how 'le soleil répartit ses derniers rayons sur la vallée.' Your mastery of the word includes all its derivative forms and its interaction with complex grammatical structures, such as the subjunctive or conditional in nuanced hypothetical scenarios. You can argue for or against different 'modes de répartition' with sophisticated vocabulary and perfect syntax, demonstrating that you not only know the word but also the logical and social frameworks it represents.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

répartir in 30 Seconds

Répartir is a verb meaning to distribute, allocate, or portion out items, tasks, or resources systematically.
It is a regular -ir verb, conjugated like 'finir', but must not be confused with 'repartir' (to leave again).
Commonly used in cooking for portioning food, in business for delegating tasks, and in statistics for data distribution.
The noun form is 'la répartition', often used to discuss social or economic distribution of wealth or population.

The French verb répartir is a versatile and essential term that primarily translates to "to distribute," "to portion out," or "to allocate." While it can be used in many contexts, such as business or statistics, its application in the culinary world is particularly nuanced for English speakers. When you are cooking or serving a meal, répartir describes the action of ensuring that components—be they ingredients in a pan or food on plates—are spread out or divided in a balanced, often equal, manner. It implies a level of organization and fairness that simpler verbs might miss.

The Culinary Context: In a recipe, you might see the instruction to 'répartir la pâte dans les moules.' This doesn't just mean to put the dough in the molds; it means to divide the total amount of dough evenly among all the available molds so that every cupcake or muffin is the same size. It is about the logic of division.

Le chef demande de répartir la sauce uniformément sur chaque filet de poisson avant de servir.

Beyond the kitchen, répartir is the go-to word for logistical arrangements. If a teacher is dividing students into groups, they are répartissant les élèves. If a manager is assigning tasks to a team, they are répartissant le travail. The core idea is always the movement from a single whole to multiple parts directed toward specific destinations. It is a more formal and precise word than 'donner' (to give) or 'mettre' (to put).

Statistical and Social Use: You will frequently hear this word in news reports regarding 'la répartition des richesses' (the distribution of wealth) or 'la répartition de la population' (population distribution). It describes how things are naturally or artificially spread across a geographic or social space.

Il est important de bien répartir son temps entre le travail et la vie de famille pour éviter le stress.

In everyday conversation, you use it when you want to sound organized. Instead of saying 'Let's share the costs,' which uses 'partager,' saying 'Répartissons les frais' suggests a more calculated, perhaps itemized, division of expenses. It carries a connotation of administrative or mathematical correctness.

Nous allons répartir les bénéfices de la vente entre tous les bénévoles de l'association.

Visualizing the Action: Imagine a deck of cards. When you deal them out to four players, you are 'en train de répartir les cartes.' You have a pile (the whole) and you are moving individual units to specific recipients (the parts) until the pile is gone. This mental image works for food, money, students, and data.

Le jardinier doit répartir les graines sur toute la surface de la pelouse pour une pousse homogène.

In summary, répartir is about the 'how' of sharing. It is the verb of the organizer, the chef, the statistician, and the fair-minded friend. It ensures that everything goes exactly where it belongs in the correct proportions.

Using répartir correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure and the prepositions that typically follow it. As a transitive verb, it usually takes a direct object—the thing being distributed—followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the recipients or the area of distribution.

Common Structure: Répartir [Object] entre [People]: This is the most frequent construction for social or financial contexts. Use 'entre' when dividing something among a specific group of people or entities.

Elle a décidé de répartir son héritage entre ses trois enfants de manière égale.

When the distribution is more spatial or abstract, we often use 'sur' (on/over) or 'dans' (in). This is common in cooking or physical labor.

Spatial Use: Répartir [Object] sur/dans [Area]: If you are spreading mulch in a garden or butter on toast, 'sur' is your best friend. If you are putting items into containers, 'dans' is used.

Veuillez répartir les dossiers dans les différents tiroirs du meuble de rangement.

In professional settings, the verb is often used for time management. You don't just 'spend' time; you 'répartir' your hours across different projects. This implies a strategic choice.

L'équipe doit répartir la charge de travail pour éviter que quelqu'un ne fasse un burn-out.

Passive and Pronominal Forms: While 'se répartir' (to be distributed/to divide themselves) exists, it is less common than the active form. You might see 'Les tâches se répartissent naturellement,' meaning the tasks are naturally divided among the participants.

Les responsabilités sont réparties selon les compétences de chaque membre du groupe.

When discussing food specifically, the verb is often paired with adverbs like 'équitablement' (equitably) or 'uniformément' (uniformly). This emphasizes the precision of the portioning.

Il faut répartir le fromage râpé sur toute la surface de la pizza avant de l'enfourner.

Mastering répartir allows you to describe complex logistical actions with a single, elegant verb. It moves you beyond the basic vocabulary of 'giving' and into the realm of 'managing' and 'organizing,' which is a key step in reaching intermediate and advanced French proficiency.

If you spend any time in France, you will encounter répartir in several distinct environments. It is not just a word found in textbooks; it is a functional term used in daily life, media, and professional settings.

In the Kitchen and Restaurants: French culinary culture is obsessed with precision. On cooking shows like 'Top Chef France' or in written recipes (recettes), the host will often say, 'Répartissez bien la garniture.' This indicates that the visual presentation and the balance of flavors depend on how the ingredients are spread out.

Pour une cuisson parfaite, il est crucial de répartir les légumes en une seule couche sur la plaque.

In a professional kitchen, the 'chef de cuisine' might répartir les postes (assign stations) to the 'commis' and 'chefs de partie' before a busy service. Here, it sounds like a tactical command.

In Schools and Universities: At the beginning of the school year (la rentrée), the administration must 'répartir les élèves dans les classes.' Students will look at the posted lists to see how they have been 'répartis.' You will also hear it during group projects when students say, 'On va se répartir le travail pour finir plus vite.'

Le professeur a choisi de répartir les étudiants par niveau pour l'exercice de conversation.

In the corporate world, répartir is used during planning meetings. Managers talk about 'répartition des ressources' (resource allocation). It sounds professional and strategic. If a company has offices in multiple cities, they might say their employees are 'répartis sur trois sites.'

Nous devons mieux répartir nos investissements pour limiter les risques financiers.

In Sports and Games: When playing a team sport or a board game, someone needs to 'répartir les joueurs' into teams. It's the act of creating balance so the game is fair. In a marathon, you might hear about how the water stations are 'réparties le long du parcours' (distributed along the course).

L'entraîneur va répartir les joueurs sur le terrain pour couvrir toutes les zones de défense.

Whether you are reading a recipe, listening to a business podcast, or attending a French class, répartir acts as a linguistic bridge between the physical act of moving things and the intellectual act of organizing them. It is a word of order and logic.

Even for intermediate learners, répartir can be a bit of a trap. Most mistakes stem from confusion with similar-sounding words or a misunderstanding of the 'logic' behind the verb.

The 'Repartir' vs 'Répartir' Confusion: This is the #1 error. 'Repartir' (no accent) means to leave again. 'Répartir' (with accent) means to distribute. They are conjugated differently as well. 'Repartir' follows the pattern of 'partir' (je repars), while 'répartir' follows 'finir' (je répartis).

Incorrect: Je vais repartir les cadeaux. (I'm going to leave the gifts again?)
Correct: Je vais répartir les cadeaux. (I'm going to distribute the gifts.)

Another common mistake is using répartir when you simply mean 'to share' in a social sense. If you are sharing a pizza with a friend, use 'partager.' If you are the chef dividing the toppings across the pizza, use 'répartir.'

Overcomplicating the Preposition: English speakers often try to use 'à' (to) when they should use 'entre' (among) or 'parmi' (among). Think of 'répartir' as dealing out cards; you deal them 'among' the players.

Incorrect: Répartir les tâches aux employés.
Correct: Répartir les tâches entre les employés.

Learners also struggle with the agreement of the past participle. Since répartir uses 'avoir' in compound tenses, the past participle 'réparti' only changes if the direct object comes before the verb.

Les tâches que j'ai réparties étaient difficiles. (Agreement with 'tâches' because it's before the verb).

Confusing with 'Distribuer': While often interchangeable, 'distribuer' focuses more on the act of giving out, while 'répartir' focuses on the organization and the resulting layout. Use 'distribuer' for flyers, but 'répartir' for a budget.

On distribue des prospectus dans la rue, mais on répartit les zones de distribution entre les agents.

Finally, avoid using répartir for physical movement of oneself. You cannot 'répartir' to the store. That would be 'se rendre' or 'aller'. Répartir always requires an object (physical or abstract) that is being divided.

To truly master the concept of distribution in French, you need to know how répartir compares to its synonyms. Each word carries a slightly different 'flavor' or register.

Répartir vs. Partager: 'Partager' is the most common word for 'to share.' It implies a common use or a friendly division. 'Répartir' is more technical and organizational. You 'partager' a cake with friends, but a nutritionist 'répartit' the calories throughout the day.

Nous partageons nos idées, mais nous répartissons les tâches pour les réaliser.

When you want to emphasize the act of handing things out to a crowd, 'distribuer' is the better choice.

Répartir vs. Distribuer: 'Distribuer' is 'to hand out' (like mail or flyers). 'Répartir' is 'to allocate' (like a budget or space). If you 'distribuez' the cards, you are just giving them out. If you 'répartissez' the cards, you are making sure each player has the right amount for the game's logic.

Le facteur distribue le courrier, tandis que le trieur a réparti les lettres par quartier.

In a scientific or mathematical context, you might use 'disperser' (to scatter) or 'étaler' (to spread out). 'Étaler' is very common in cooking for spreading jam or cream, but it doesn't carry the same sense of 'division among recipients' that répartir does.

Répartir vs. Diviser: 'Diviser' is simply to cut into parts. 'Répartir' is to cut into parts AND place those parts where they need to go. If you 'divisez' a cake, you have slices. If you 'répartissez' the cake, you have given a slice to everyone at the table.

On divise le groupe en deux, puis on répartit les outils entre les deux équipes.

Finally, 'allouer' is a specific synonym used for funds or resources in a formal budget context. 'Allouer un budget' and 'répartir un budget' are very similar, but 'allouer' focuses on the granting of the money, while 'répartir' focuses on how that money is split between different departments.

L'État a alloué des fonds, et le ministère doit maintenant les répartir.

By choosing the right word, you show that you understand the subtle social and logical dynamics of the situation. Répartir is your tool for order, fairness, and systematic organization.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

Although 'répartir' and 'repartir' look identical without the accent, they have evolved into completely different concepts. One is about division, the other about movement.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʁe.paʁ.tiʁ/

US /re.pɑr.tir/

Stress falls on the final syllable: re-par-TIR.

Rhymes With

partir sortir finir mentir sentir servir dormir ouvrir

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'repartir' (to leave again) by omitting the accent on the 'é'.
Pronouncing the final 'r' too softly; it should be audible.
Confusion with the English 'repair'; they are not related.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in context but can be confused with 'repartir'.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of -ir verb endings and proper accent use.

Speaking 3/5

The 'é' vs 'e' distinction is crucial for being understood.

Listening 3/5

Must distinguish from 'repartir' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

partir partager donner mettre finir

Learn Next

allouer distribuer la répartition équitable proportionnel

Advanced

ventiler octroyer dispenser scinder

Grammar to Know

Second Group Verbs (-ir)

Je répartis, nous répartissons (like finir).

Past Participle Agreement

Les tâches que j'ai réparties (agreement with preceding object).

Pronominal Verbs

Les membres se répartissent le travail.

Preposition 'Entre'

Répartir l'argent entre les enfants.

Accentuation

The 'é' in répartir is essential for meaning and pronunciation.

Examples by Level

Je répartis les bonbons.

I distribute the candies.

Present tense, first person singular.

Elle répartit les livres sur la table.

She distributes the books on the table.

Present tense, third person singular.

Nous répartissons les pommes dans deux paniers.

We distribute the apples into two baskets.

Present tense, first person plural.

Ils répartissent les jouets.

They distribute the toys.

Present tense, third person plural.

Tu répartis les verres pour les invités.

You distribute the glasses for the guests.

Present tense, second person singular.

Vous répartissez les feuilles de papier.

You (plural) distribute the sheets of paper.

Present tense, second person plural.

Le professeur répartit les crayons.

The teacher distributes the pencils.

Present tense, third person singular.

Maman répartit le gâteau.

Mom distributes the cake.

Present tense, third person singular.

Il faut répartir la sauce sur les pâtes.

The sauce must be distributed over the pasta.

Infinitive after 'il faut'.

Nous allons répartir les tâches ménagères.

We are going to distribute the household chores.

Near future tense.

Répartissez les fleurs dans les trois vases.

Distribute the flowers into the three vases.

Imperative mood, second person plural.

Elle a réparti les dossiers par ordre alphabétique.

She distributed the files in alphabetical order.

Passé composé.

On répartit le travail entre tous les élèves.

We distribute the work among all the students.

Present tense with 'on'.

Tu dois répartir ton argent pour tout le mois.

You must distribute your money for the whole month.

Infinitive after 'devoir'.

Ils répartissent les chaises dans la salle.

They are distributing the chairs in the room.

Present tense, third person plural.

Le guide répartit les touristes en deux groupes.

The guide distributes the tourists into two groups.

Present tense, third person singular.

Le directeur a réparti les bénéfices entre les employés.

The director distributed the profits among the employees.

Passé composé with 'entre'.

Il est difficile de répartir son temps entre travail et loisirs.

It is difficult to distribute one's time between work and leisure.

Infinitive phrase.

Nous répartirons les ressources selon les besoins de chaque projet.

We will distribute the resources according to the needs of each project.

Future tense.

L'architecte répartit l'espace pour maximiser la lumière.

The architect distributes the space to maximize light.

Present tense.

Les secours ont réparti les vivres dans les zones sinistrées.

Rescue workers distributed supplies in the disaster zones.

Passé composé.

Comment répartir équitablement les richesses d'un pays ?

How to equitably distribute a country's wealth?

Interrogative with infinitive.

Elle répartit ses efforts pour tenir jusqu'à la fin de la course.

She distributes her efforts to last until the end of the race.

Present tense.

Les organisateurs répartissent les stands dans tout le salon.

The organizers are distributing the booths throughout the hall.

Present tense.

Les responsabilités se répartissent naturellement au sein de l'équipe.

Responsibilities are naturally distributed within the team.

Pronominal verb 'se répartir'.

Le budget est réparti sur plusieurs postes de dépense.

The budget is distributed over several expenditure items.

Passive voice with 'être'.

Il faut répartir les risques en investissant dans différents secteurs.

Risks must be distributed by investing in different sectors.

Infinitive after 'il faut'.

La population se répartit de manière inégale sur le territoire.

The population is distributed unevenly across the territory.

Pronominal verb 'se répartir'.

Le professeur répartit les points en fonction de la difficulté.

The teacher distributes the points based on difficulty.

Present tense.

Nous avons réparti la charge de travail pour éviter le surmenage.

We distributed the workload to avoid burnout.

Passé composé.

L'auteur répartit ses thèmes majeurs tout au long du roman.

The author distributes his major themes throughout the novel.

Present tense.

Comment les rôles sont-ils répartis dans cette pièce de théâtre ?

How are the roles distributed in this play?

Passive voice in a question.

L'échec du projet provient d'une mauvaise répartition des compétences.

The project's failure stems from a poor distribution of skills.

Noun form 'répartition'.

Les dividendes seront répartis proportionnellement aux parts détenues.

Dividends will be distributed proportionally to the shares held.

Future passive.

Il convient de répartir judicieusement les investissements publics.

It is advisable to judiciously distribute public investments.

Formal 'il convient de'.

La lumière se répartit harmonieusement dans cette cathédrale.

Light is harmoniously distributed in this cathedral.

Pronominal verb.

Le philosophe répartit son argumentation en trois points distincts.

The philosopher divides his argument into three distinct points.

Present tense.

Les espèces se répartissent selon les gradients d'altitude.

Species are distributed according to altitude gradients.

Pronominal verb.

Une répartition équitable des ressources est le gage de la paix sociale.

An equitable distribution of resources is the guarantee of social peace.

Noun form as subject.

Le juge doit répartir les torts entre les deux parties.

The judge must distribute the blame between the two parties.

Modal verb 'devoir'.

La structure même de l'œuvre répartit le sens entre le dit et le non-dit.

The very structure of the work distributes meaning between the said and the unsaid.

Complex literary subject.

La répartition des compétences législatives soulève des débats constitutionnels.

The distribution of legislative powers raises constitutional debates.

Legal/Political context.

L'artiste répartit les masses colorées pour créer un équilibre dynamique.

The artist distributes the colored masses to create a dynamic balance.

Artistic terminology.

Le capital se répartit de manière de plus en plus concentrée.

Capital is distributed in an increasingly concentrated manner.

Economic context.

Les micro-organismes se répartissent dans l'écosystème de façon complexe.

Micro-organisms are distributed in the ecosystem in a complex way.

Scientific context.

Cette politique vise à répartir le fardeau fiscal plus équitablement.

This policy aims to distribute the tax burden more equitably.

Formal policy language.

La mémoire se répartit sur plusieurs zones du cerveau.

Memory is distributed across several areas of the brain.

Neurological context.

Il s'agit de répartir les rôles sans léser aucune compétence.

It is a matter of distributing roles without undermining any skill.

Formal 'il s'agit de'.

Common Collocations

répartir les tâches

répartir le budget

répartir équitablement

répartir la charge

répartir sur la surface

répartir les rôles

répartir les richesses

répartir les coûts

répartir dans le temps

répartir uniformément

Common Phrases

Répartir les frais

— To split the costs among several people.

On va répartir les frais de voyage entre nous.

Répartir les bénéfices

— To distribute the profits earned by a business.

L'entreprise va répartir les bénéfices aux actionnaires.

Répartir les élèves

— To assign students to different classes or groups.

Le proviseur répartit les élèves dans les classes.

Répartir les cartes

— To deal cards in a game.

C'est à ton tour de répartir les cartes.

Répartir les responsabilités

— To assign specific duties to team members.

Nous avons bien réparti les responsabilités.

Répartir les zones

— To divide a territory into specific areas for work.

Le directeur répartit les zones de vente.

Répartir les points

— To allocate points in a scoring system.

Le jury doit répartir les points entre les candidats.

Répartir les dons

— To distribute charitable donations to those in need.

L'association répartit les dons aux familles.

Répartir les risques

— To spread risk to avoid major losses.

Il est sage de répartir les risques financiers.

Répartir les sièges

— To allocate seats, often in a political assembly.

La loi définit comment répartir les sièges au parlement.

Often Confused With

répartir vs repartir

Means to leave again. Pronounced with a schwa /ə/ instead of /e/.

répartir vs partager

Means to share. More general and social than the technical 'répartir'.

répartir vs distribuer

Means to hand out. Focuses on the physical act of giving rather than the organization.

Idioms & Expressions

"Répartir les torts"

— To decide who is responsible for what in a conflict.

Le médiateur a essayé de répartir les torts entre les voisins.

formal

"Répartir son effort"

— To pace oneself to avoid exhaustion.

Pendant le marathon, il faut savoir répartir son effort.

neutral

"Une répartition aux petits oignons"

— A very careful and perfect distribution (informal use of the idiom 'aux petits oignons').

Le chef a fait une répartition aux petits oignons.

informal

"Répartir le gâteau"

— To divide up the profits or advantages of a situation.

Les politiciens sont en train de répartir le gâteau.

neutral

"Répartir les rôles de chacun"

— To clearly define what everyone is supposed to do.

Avant de commencer, répartissons les rôles de chacun.

neutral

"Répartir les masses"

— In art, to balance the visual weight of a composition.

Le peintre répartit les masses pour équilibrer son tableau.

technical

"Répartir les dividendes du progrès"

— A political phrase meaning to share the benefits of economic growth.

Il faut mieux répartir les dividendes du progrès.

formal

"Répartir la parole"

— To ensure everyone gets a chance to speak in a meeting.

Le modérateur doit bien répartir la parole.

neutral

"Répartir les coups"

— To share the burden or the negative consequences.

Ils ont essayé de répartir les coups pour que personne ne souffre trop.

neutral

"Répartir les effectifs"

— To deploy personnel across different areas.

La police va répartir les effectifs dans le centre-ville.

formal

Easily Confused

répartir vs repartir

Identical spelling except for the accent.

'Répartir' means to distribute. 'Repartir' means to leave again. They follow different conjugation patterns.

Je répartis les tâches (distribute) vs Je repars demain (leave again).

répartir vs partager

Both involve dividing something.

'Partager' is for sharing (feelings, a meal). 'Répartir' is for systematic allocation (budget, tasks).

Nous partageons un secret vs Nous répartissons le budget.

répartir vs distribuer

Both involve giving things to multiple people.

'Distribuer' is the act of handing out. 'Répartir' is the decision-making process of how to divide.

Il distribue les flyers vs Il répartit les zones de travail.

répartir vs allouer

Both involve assigning resources.

'Allouer' is specifically for formal grants of money or time. 'Répartir' is more general.

L'État alloue des fonds vs On répartit les fonds entre les projets.

répartir vs étaler

Both can mean spreading something out.

'Étaler' is purely physical (spreading butter). 'Répartir' implies division into portions.

Étaler la pâte vs Répartir la pâte dans les moules.

Sentence Patterns

Sujet + répartir + Objet

Elle répartit les fruits.

Il faut + répartir + Objet + entre/sur...

Il faut répartir la sauce sur le riz.

Sujet + a réparti + Objet + entre...

Le patron a réparti les primes entre les salariés.

Sujet + se répartir + Objet

Les étudiants se répartissent les rôles.

Nom + être + réparti + selon...

Le budget est réparti selon les besoins.

Il s'agit de + répartir + Objet + de manière...

Il s'agit de répartir les pouvoirs de manière démocratique.

Sujet + futur + répartir...

Nous répartirons les zones demain.

Aller + répartir...

Je vais répartir les feuilles.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in professional, culinary, and administrative contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'repartir' (to leave again) instead of 'répartir' (to distribute). → Il faut répartir les tâches.
The accent on the 'é' is vital. Without it, the word means something completely different and follows a different conjugation.
Saying 'répartir à' people. → Répartir entre les gens.
The preposition 'entre' is the standard way to indicate the recipients of a distribution.
Conjugating 'répartir' like 'partir' (e.g., 'je repars' for distribute). → Je répartis les parts.
'Répartir' is a regular -ir verb (second group), whereas 'partir' is an irregular -ir verb (third group).
Forgetting agreement of the past participle with 'avoir'. → Les parts que j'ai réparties.
If the direct object (les parts) comes before the verb, the past participle must agree with it.
Using 'répartir' when you mean 'to repair'. → Je dois réparer ma voiture.
This is a false friend error. 'Répartir' is distribute; 'réparer' is to fix.

Tips

Conjugation Mastery

Treat 'répartir' like 'finir'. If you know 'nous finissons', you know 'nous répartissons'. The double 's' is the hallmark of this verb group.

The Organizer's Verb

Whenever you are organizing a project, use 'répartir' to describe how you assign tasks. It makes you sound more professional and in control.

The Accent Matters

Smile slightly when saying the 'é' in 'répartir'. This helps you get that closed /e/ sound right and avoids confusion with 'repartir'.

Kitchen Precision

In a recipe, 'répartir' is your cue for balance. It means don't just dump the ingredient in one spot; spread it out so every bite is the same.

Noun Power

Try using the noun 'la répartition' in your essays. 'Une bonne répartition' is a great way to start a sentence about management or social justice.

Re-Part

Link 'répartir' to 'parts'. You are making 'parts' of a whole. This mental link will help you remember the meaning instantly.

Fairness

Use 'répartir' when you want to emphasize that a division is fair or logical. It carries a connotation of justice and order.

News Watch

Listen for this word in French news reports about the economy. It’s a favorite of journalists discussing the national budget.

Delegation

In a workplace context, 'répartir les tâches' is the standard way to say 'delegate tasks'. It's an essential phrase for business French.

Data Distribution

If you work with data, 'répartir' is the word for how data points are spread across a range. It's the French equivalent of 'to distribute' in stats.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Répartir' as 'RE-PART-ing'—you are taking parts and putting them where they belong. The 'é' stands for 'Equal' distribution.

Visual Association

Imagine a chef carefully dealing out slices of pepperoni across a pizza so every slice is covered perfectly.

Word Web

partager distribuer diviser allouer portion répartition équitable tâches

Challenge

Try to use 'répartir' three times today: once for a meal, once for a task, and once for your time.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old French 'repartir', which comes from the Latin 're-' (again/back) and 'partire' (to divide).

Original meaning: Originally meant to divide again or to divide up into parts.

Romance (Latin)

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but ensure 'répartition' is used fairly when discussing social groups to avoid appearing biased.

English speakers often just say 'share' or 'divide,' whereas French speakers prefer the precision of 'répartir' for logistical contexts.

The 'système de retraite par répartition' (French pension system). Economic debates on 'la répartition des richesses'. Culinary instructions in the 'Guide Culinaire' by Escoffier.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Cooking

Répartir la garniture
Répartir uniformément
Répartir dans les moules
Répartir la sauce

Work/Business

Répartir les tâches
Répartir le budget
Répartir la charge de travail
Répartir les responsabilités

Education

Répartir les élèves
Répartir les points
Répartir les groupes
Répartir les manuels

Finance

Répartir les bénéfices
Répartir les frais
Répartir les dividendes
Répartir les investissements

Geography/Demographics

Répartir la population
Répartir sur le territoire
Répartir les zones
Répartir les effectifs

Conversation Starters

"Comment devrions-nous répartir les tâches pour ce projet de groupe ?"

"Est-ce que tu penses que les richesses sont bien réparties dans notre pays ?"

"Comment répartis-tu ton temps entre tes études et tes loisirs ?"

"Peux-tu m'aider à répartir les invitations pour la fête ?"

"Comment allons-nous répartir les frais pour le cadeau de Julie ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez comment vous répartissez votre budget mensuel entre vos différentes dépenses.

Réfléchissez à la manière dont vous répartissez vos efforts au travail pour éviter le stress.

Si vous étiez chef d'une équipe, comment répartiriez-vous les responsabilités ?

Racontez un moment où vous avez dû répartir quelque chose de précieux entre plusieurs personnes.

Analysez la répartition de votre temps libre : est-elle équilibrée ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it is a regular -ir verb of the second group. It is conjugated exactly like 'finir'. For example: je répartis, tu répartis, il répartit, nous répartissons, vous répartissez, ils répartissent.

Use 'répartir' when you want to emphasize organization, planning, or allocation. Use 'partager' for simple sharing between friends or for abstract things like sharing an opinion.

The noun is 'la répartition'. It is commonly used in phrases like 'la répartition des richesses' (the distribution of wealth).

Yes, but it means dividing them into groups or assigning them to places. For example, 'répartir les élèves dans les classes' means putting students into different classrooms.

The 'é' is an 'accent aigu'. It sounds like the 'ay' in 'play' but shorter and without the 'y' sound at the end. It's a closed /e/ sound.

It is usually 'répartir entre' when distributing among people or 'répartir sur' when spreading over a surface. 'Répartir à' is rarely used.

No, 'répartir' means to distribute. The French word for to repair is 'réparer'. They are false friends.

Yes, it is very common. 'Les tâches sont réparties' means 'The tasks are distributed.' Remember to make the past participle 'réparti' agree with the subject.

'Répartir' (with accent) means to distribute. 'Repartir' (no accent) means to leave again. They also have different conjugations: je répartis vs je repars.

Yes, very often! Recipes use it to tell you to spread an ingredient evenly, like 'répartir le fromage sur la pizza'.