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B2 noun #3,000 most common 8 min read

分担

buntan Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 分担 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 分担 in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of 'buntan' as 'sharing work.' In a family, everyone has a job. Mom cooks, Dad cleans, and you help. This 'sharing' is 'buntan.' It is used for simple tasks like 'sharing the cleaning' (soji wo buntan suru). You use it when more than one person does a job so it is not too hard for one person. It is a very polite and helpful word to know when you are working with Japanese friends.

At the A2 level, 'buntan' is used for daily life and school. For example, when you have a group project at school, you need to decide who writes and who makes the pictures. This is 'yakuwari buntan' (sharing roles). You will also hear it about money, like 'sharing the bill' (hiyou wo buntan suru) when you go out with friends, though 'wari-kan' is more common for casual dining. 'Buntan' sounds a bit more organized and formal.

At the B1 level, you start using 'buntan' in professional and social contexts. It's not just about splitting work; it's about 'responsibility.' You might discuss 'kaji buntan' (sharing housework) in a more serious way, talking about fairness. In the office, you use it to clarify who is responsible for which part of a project. It often appears as a suru-verb (buntan suru). You should understand that it implies a 'burden' or 'task' is being divided.

At the B2 level, 'buntan' becomes a strategic term. It refers to the 'allocation of resources and responsibilities' to maximize efficiency. You will see it in business contracts, academic papers, and news reports. Phrases like 'risk buntan' (risk sharing) or 'futan buntan' (burden sharing) are common. At this level, you should be able to distinguish 'buntan' from 'bunpai' (distribution) and 'wariate' (assignment/quota). It is about the logical division of a complex whole.

At the C1 level, 'buntan' is used in nuanced discussions about societal roles and international policy. For example, the 'buntan' of medical costs between the government and the individual, or the 'buntan' of carbon emission reductions between countries. It involves deep negotiation and legal frameworks. You will encounter it in high-level literature and 'ronsetsu' (editorial) pieces. It often implies a balance of power and ethical responsibility.

At the C2 level, you master the philosophical and systemic implications of 'buntan.' This includes the 'buntan' of knowledge in a specialized society (specialization) and the historical evolution of 'yakuwari buntan' in Japanese culture. You can use the word to critique social structures or propose complex organizational models. You understand the subtle difference in 'buntan' versus 'kyoutou' (joint struggle) or 'kyousou' (co-creation) in highly specialized environments.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

分担 in 30 Seconds

Buntan means dividing tasks or costs among a group.
It is used in both business and daily household contexts.
It implies specific ownership of a piece of a larger burden.
Commonly used as 'yakuwari buntan' (division of roles).

The Japanese word 分担 (buntan) is a cornerstone of Japanese social and professional dynamics. At its core, it represents the equitable or strategic distribution of tasks, responsibilities, or costs among a group of people. Unlike simple 'sharing,' which might imply a communal pool, buntan emphasizes the distinct boundaries of who does what. It is the architectural blueprint of cooperation in Japan.

Core Concept: The division of a larger whole into manageable parts assigned to specific individuals.
Social Nuance: In Japanese culture, buntan is seen as a way to maintain harmony (wa) by ensuring no single person is overwhelmed and everyone contributes.

私たちは家事を公平に分担しています。
(We share the housework chores fairly.)

You will encounter this word most frequently in professional settings, such as during project kick-off meetings where roles are defined (役割分担 - yakuwari buntan). However, it is equally vital in domestic life. With the rise of dual-income households in Japan, the discussion of kaji buntan (sharing housework) has become a central topic in modern social discourse. It moves beyond the idea of 'helping' and enters the realm of 'responsibility ownership.'

費用の分担について話し合いましょう。
(Let's discuss the sharing of the costs.)

The word is composed of two kanji: 分 (part/minute/divide) and 担 (to carry/bear). Literally, it means 'to divide and carry.' This visual imagery of people standing together, each carrying their specific piece of a heavy load, perfectly encapsulates why this word is so essential for teamwork in Japan. Whether it's a school festival, a corporate merger, or a family vacation, 分担 is the mechanism that makes collective action possible.

仕事の分担が決まった。
(The division of work has been decided.)

Common Collocations: 〜を分担する (to share/divide), 役割分担 (division of roles), 費用分担 (sharing of expenses).

責任を分担する。
(To share the responsibility.)

作業の分担を明確にする。
(To clarify the division of tasks.)

Using 分担 (buntan) correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as both a noun and a suru-verb. It is most frequently paired with the particle を (wo) when acting as a verb, or used as a prefix in compound nouns. Let's explore the various grammatical environments where this word thrives.

As a Suru-Verb (分担する): Used to describe the active process of dividing a task. Example: 'We will divide the work.' (私たちは仕事を分担します。)
As a Noun (分担): Used to refer to the state or system of division. Example: 'The division of roles is important.' (役割分担が重要です。)

各自が自分の持ち場を分担した。
(Each person took charge of their assigned area.)

One of the most powerful ways to use 分担 is in the context of fairness and efficiency. When you want to suggest that a workload is too heavy for one person, you use 分担 to propose a solution. It sounds professional and logical, rather than sounding like you are complaining. For example, in an office, saying 'Let's divide the tasks' (作業を分担しましょう) is a proactive way to manage a deadline.

コストを分担することで、リスクを減らす。
(By sharing the costs, we reduce the risk.)

In academic writing or formal reports, 分担 often appears in the phrase 分担執筆 (buntan shippitsu), which means a book or paper written by multiple authors where each person is responsible for a specific chapter. This highlights the precision of the word—it's not just 'working together'; it's 'owning a specific piece of the work.'

この本は三人の専門家による分担執筆です。
(This book is co-authored by three experts, each handling specific parts.)

Negative Usage: 分担が不公平だ (The division is unfair), 分担がうまくいっていない (The division is not going well).

家事の分担をめぐって喧嘩になった。
(A fight broke out over the division of housework.)

役割を明確に分担することで効率が上がる。
(Efficiency increases by clearly dividing roles.)

If you step into a Japanese office, 分担 (buntan) is as common as the morning greetings. It is the language of project management. During a 'kick-off' meeting, the leader will likely present a slide titled 「役割分担」 (Yakuwari Buntan). Each team member's name will be listed next to their specific duties. Hearing this word signals that the planning phase is over and the execution phase—where everyone knows their place—has begun.

In the Office: Used to define workflow. 'Who is in charge of the presentation?' 'Who handles the client communications?' This is all buntan.
At Home: Younger couples often use kaji buntan to discuss who cooks, who cleans, and who takes out the trash, reflecting a shift away from traditional gender roles.

「今日の掃除、どうやって分担する？」
("How should we divide today's cleaning?")

You will also hear this word in the news, particularly concerning international relations or large-scale economics. For instance, when discussing the costs of maintaining military bases or environmental initiatives, the term 「負担分担」 (futan buntan)—the sharing of the burden—is frequently used. It carries a heavy, serious tone here, implying that the 'burden' is significant and requires careful negotiation.

国際社会で責任を分担する必要がある。
(It is necessary to share responsibility in the international community.)

Interestingly, 分担 is also used in the context of scientific research or technical development. When multiple laboratories or companies work on a single vaccine or technology, the technical tasks are 'buntan-ed' to ensure the fastest possible result. It implies a high level of specialization.

開発作業を複数のチームで分担している。
(The development work is being shared by multiple teams.)

In Sports: In relay races or team sports, players might discuss 'area buntan' (defending specific areas) to ensure full coverage of the field.

守備の範囲を分担する。
(To divide the defensive range.)

While 分担 (buntan) is a versatile word, learners often confuse it with other 'sharing' or 'dividing' words. The most common mistake is using it for things that are pleasant or communal, rather than things that are tasks or burdens.

Mistake 1: Using it for food or gifts: You don't 'buntan' a pizza. You wake-au (share) or hanbun-ko suru (split in half). 分担 implies a duty or a cost.
Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Bunpai' (分配): Bunpai is about distribution of resources (like profits or rations). Buntan is about distribution of work or responsibility.

❌ ケーキを分担しましょう。
(Correct: ケーキを分けましょう。)

Another nuance is the 'weight' of the task. 分担 is usually used for something that requires effort. If the task is too trivial, 分担 might sound overly formal or dramatic. For example, if you're just asking someone to hold a bag for a second, don't use 分担. Use 分担 when there's a clear 'load' to be managed over time.

❌ 鉛筆を分担して使う。
(Correct: 鉛筆を貸し借りする or 共有する。)

Lastly, be careful with the particle usage. While 〜を分担する is standard, people sometimes forget that 分担 can also act as a noun with の. 'Work division' is 仕事の分担, not 仕事分担 (though the latter is sometimes used in very clipped business speech, the former is more natural).

不公平な分担はチームワークを壊す。
(Unfair division breaks teamwork.)

Grammatical Pitfall: Avoid saying "Buntan shite kudasai" to a superior unless you are in a very specific project planning role. It can sound like you are giving orders about their duties.

役割の分担を見直しましょう。
(Let's review the division of roles.)

Japanese has many words for 'sharing' and 'dividing.' Knowing the difference between them will elevate your Japanese from 'functional' to 'fluent.' Let's compare 分担 (buntan) with its closest cousins.

Buntan (分担) vs. Wake-au (分け合う): Buntan is for tasks/burdens. Wake-au is for sharing things like emotions, food, or happiness. Buntan is more formal and structured.
Buntan (分担) vs. Bunpai (分配): Bunpai is 'distribution' (e.g., distributing wealth or leaflets). Buntan is 'allocation of duty.'
Buntan (分担) vs. Kyouryoku (協力): Kyouryoku is 'cooperation' in a general sense. Buntan is a specific method of cooperation where work is split up.

利益を分配し、リスクを分担する。
(Distribute the profits and share the risks.)

Another word often confused with 分担 is 割り当て (wariate). While buntan feels like a mutual agreement to share a load, wariate feels more like an assignment given by a superior. If your boss gives you a quota, it's a wariate. If you and your coworkers decide how to tackle a project together, it's buntan.

喜びを分かち合う。
(To share joy - Note: You cannot use buntan here.)

Finally, consider 提携 (teikei). This means 'partnership' or 'alliance,' usually between two companies. While buntan happens inside the partnership (dividing the work), teikei is the overarching agreement. Understanding these boundaries will help you choose the right word for the right scale of cooperation.

二社は業務を分担して進めることで合意した。
(The two companies agreed to proceed by dividing the business operations.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 担 (tan) is also used in 'tantou' (person in charge) and 'tannin' (homeroom teacher). It always implies a physical or metaphorical weight being carried.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bɯntan/

US /buntan/

Heiban (Flat) pitch accent. The pitch stays relatively level throughout the word.

Rhymes With

Kantan (Simple) Santan (Praise) Dantan (Warmth) Hantan (Judgment - though usually 'handan') Zantan (Remaining) Gentan (Reduction) Sentan (Tip/Edge) Yuntan (Coal field)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'bu' like 'view'.
Over-emphasizing the 'n' sounds like separate syllables.
Changing the pitch like 'BUN-tan' (this is wrong).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are common but 'tan' is slightly more advanced than 'bun'.

Writing 4/5

Writing 'tan' (担) correctly requires attention to the radical.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce with flat intonation.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in clear contexts like meetings.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

分ける (Wake-ru) 仕事 (Shigoto) 半分 (Hanbun) 持つ (Motsu) 担当 (Tantou)

Learn Next

負担 (Futan) 分配 (Bunpai) 分散 (Bunsan) 効率 (Kouritsu) 連携 (Renkei)

Advanced

帰属 (Kizoku) 委託 (Itaku) 分権 (Bunken) 按分 (Anbun)

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs

分担する、分担します、分担した。

Noun + No + Noun

仕事の分担、費用の分担。

Compound Nouns

役割分担、家事分担。

Causative (Saseru)

部下に仕事を分担させる。

Passive (Sareru)

不公平な分担を強いられる。

Examples by Level

掃除を分担しましょう。

Let's share the cleaning.

Verb: buntan suru

仕事を分担します。

I will share the work.

Present tense

お皿洗いを分担した。

We shared the dishwashing.

Past tense

みんなで分担です。

It's shared by everyone.

Noun + desu

料理を分担する。

To share the cooking.

Dictionary form

分担は大切です。

Sharing is important.

Noun as subject

誰が分担しますか？

Who will share (the task)?

Question form

公平に分担した。

We shared fairly.

Adverb + verb

役割を分担して、パーティーを準備した。

We divided roles and prepared the party.

Te-form for sequence

家事の分担について話しました。

We talked about sharing housework.

Noun + no + buntan

この仕事は二人で分担してください。

Please share this job between the two of you.

Kudasai form

費用の分担を決めましょう。

Let's decide on the sharing of costs.

Mashou form

グループで作業を分担する。

To share tasks in a group.

Group + de

私の分担はこれです。

This is my assigned part.

Possessive

分担が重すぎます。

The assigned share is too heavy.

Adjective modifier

計画的に分担する。

To share in a planned way.

Adverbial usage

チーム内で役割分担を明確にする。

Clarify the division of roles within the team.

Compound noun: yakuwari buntan

責任を分担することで、ミスを防ぐ。

By sharing responsibility, we prevent mistakes.

Koto de (by doing...)

彼は、データの入力を分担している。

He is in charge of sharing the data entry task.

Te-iru form

家事分担のバランスが悪い。

The balance of housework sharing is bad.

Noun phrase

各部署がコストを分担する。

Each department shares the costs.

Subject is an organization

分担作業をスムーズに進める。

Proceed with shared tasks smoothly.

Buntan sagyou (shared work)

誰が何を分担するか、表にまとめる。

Summarize who handles what in a table.

Embedded question

分担を断ることはできない。

I cannot refuse the assigned share.

Koto wa dekinai

このプロジェクトは、産学が連携して役割を分担している。

In this project, industry and academia collaborate and share roles.

Complex sentence

リスクを適切に分担する契約を結ぶ。

Sign a contract to appropriately share the risks.

Relative clause

負担分担の公平性が問われている。

The fairness of the burden-sharing is being questioned.

Passive voice

開発コストを複数社で分担する。

Share the development costs among several companies.

Multiple subjects

業務を分担した結果、効率が大幅に向上した。

As a result of dividing the business operations, efficiency improved significantly.

Resultative structure

各自の能力に応じて仕事を分担させる。

Have the work shared according to each person's ability.

Causative form (saseru)

分担執筆による専門書を出版する。

Publish a technical book written through shared authorship.

Technical term: buntan shippitsu

地域社会での役割を分担し合う。

Share roles within the local community with each other.

Compound verb: buntan-shiau

政府と地方自治体の間での費用分担をめぐる議論が続いている。

Debates regarding the cost-sharing between the government and local municipalities continue.

Meguru (concerning)

国際的な平和維持活動において、各国の負担分担が不可欠である。

In international peacekeeping activities, burden-sharing by each country is indispensable.

Formal academic tone

機能分担を明確にすることで、組織の硬直化を防ぐ。

By clarifying the division of functions, we prevent organizational rigidity.

Abstract nouns

医療費の自己負担分担率が引き上げられた。

The individual's share of medical expenses has been raised.

Economic context

歴史的な責任の分担について、深い考察が必要だ。

Deep reflection is needed regarding the sharing of historical responsibility.

Philosophical usage

専門分野を細かく分担し、高度な研究を遂行する。

Divide specialized fields minutely and carry out advanced research.

Adverbial 'komakaku'

情報漏洩のリスクを分散し、管理を分担する。

Disperse the risk of information leakage and share the management.

Risk management

分担の不備が、プロジェクトの遅延を招いた。

Deficiencies in the division of work led to project delays.

Noun as cause

社会的分業体制における、個人の役割分担の再定義が求められている。

A redefinition of individual role-sharing within the social division of labor is required.

Sociological terminology

認知的分担、すなわち思考の外部化が現代の知的生産の鍵である。

Cognitive division—that is, the externalization of thought—is the key to modern intellectual production.

Metaphorical usage

グローバル資本主義下での富の偏在とリスク分担の不均衡を批判する。

Critique the maldistribution of wealth and the imbalance of risk-sharing under global capitalism.

Political critique

法的な責任分担の境界線は、極めて曖昧である場合が多い。

The boundaries of legal responsibility allocation are often extremely ambiguous.

Legal context

多極化する世界において、安全保障の分担は新たな局面を迎えている。

In a multipolar world, the sharing of security is entering a new phase.

Geopolitical context

種を超えた生態系における役割分担を、共生の観点から分析する。

Analyze role-sharing in ecosystems across species from the perspective of symbiosis.

Biological context

プロジェクトの成否は、初期段階の緻密な分担設計に依拠する。

The success or failure of a project depends on the meticulous division design at the initial stage.

Formal verb 'ikyo suru'

自己と他者の境界が消失する中で、分担という概念そのものが変容している。

As the boundary between self and other disappears, the very concept of sharing is undergoing transformation.

Post-modern philosophy

Synonyms

分業配分割り当てシェア

Antonyms

独占一任

Common Collocations

役割を分担する

費用を分担する

家事を分担する

責任を分担する

負担を分担する

作業を分担する

リスクを分担する

分担が決まる

分担を見直す

明確に分担する

Common Phrases

役割分担 (Yakuwari Buntan)

— Division of roles. This is the most common compound used in meetings.

役割分担表を作成しました。

費用分担 (Hiyou Buntan)

— Cost sharing. Used in business and legal agreements.

費用分担の割合を協議する。

家事分担 (Kaji Buntan)

— Sharing of housework. A major social topic in Japan.

家事分担で揉める。

分担執筆 (Buntan Shippitsu)

— Co-authoring where each person writes specific sections.

この本は分担執筆です。

負担分担 (Futan Buntan)

— Burden sharing. Used in political or economic contexts.

防衛費の負担分担。

作業分担 (Sagyou Buntan)

— Division of tasks. Used in manual or technical labor.

作業分担を最適化する。

機能分担 (Kinou Buntan)

— Division of functions. Used in systems design or organizational theory.

ハードとソフトの機能分担。

地域分担 (Chiiki Buntan)

— Regional division. Used in sales or logistics.

営業エリアを地域分担する。

リスク分担 (Risuku Buntan)

— Risk sharing. A standard term in insurance and finance.

リスク分担の仕組みを構築する。

分担金 (Buntankin)

— Apportioned money or contribution/dues.

自治会に分担金を払う。

Often Confused With

分担 vs 分配 (Bunpai)

Distribution of physical things or profits. Buntan is for tasks.

分担 vs 分業 (Bungyou)

Specialized division of labor in an industry. Buntan is more general.

分担 vs 割り当て (Wariate)

An assignment or quota given to you. Buntan is usually a shared agreement.

Idioms & Expressions

"荷を分かち合う"

— To share the load. Similar to buntan but more poetic.

苦労という荷を分かち合う。

Literary

"手分けする"

— To split up and do a task (informal/action-oriented).

手分けして探しましょう。

Colloquial

"持ちつ持たれつ"

— Give and take; mutual aid.

近所付き合いは持ちつ持たれつだ。

Common

"阿吽の呼吸"

— Perfect synchronization (often used when buntan happens naturally).

二人は阿吽の呼吸で作業を分担した。

Nuanced

"三人寄れば文殊の知恵"

— Three people together have the wisdom of Monju (encourages group buntan).

分担して考えればいい案が出る。

Proverb

"猫の手も借りたい"

— So busy you'd borrow a cat's paw (implies desperate need for buntan).

忙しくて、誰かに分担してほしい。

Idiomatic

"一肌脱ぐ"

— To roll up one's sleeves and help (taking on a share).

私が一肌脱いで、その仕事を分担しよう。

Idiomatic

"骨を折る"

— To go to great pains (often in one's shared part).

自分の分担に骨を折る。

Common

"目鼻がつく"

— To begin to take shape (after buntan is decided).

分担が決まって、ようやく目鼻がついた。

Idiomatic

"足並みをそろえる"

— To keep in step (essential for successful buntan).

分担して足並みをそろえて進む。

Common

Easily Confused

分担 vs 分ける (Wakeru)

Both mean 'to divide'.

Wakeru is a general verb for cutting or separating. Buntan is specifically for sharing a burden or task.

ケーキを分ける vs 掃除を分担する

分担 vs 共有 (Kyouyou)

Both mean 'sharing'.

Kyouyou is about having something in common (like a folder). Buntan is about splitting up parts of a whole.

情報を共有する vs 作業を分担する

分担 vs 協力 (Kyouryoku)

Both involve teamwork.

Kyouryoku is the act of helping. Buntan is the structural method of how that help is divided.

協力して運ぶ vs 役割を分担する

分担 vs 分担金 (Buntankin)

Is it a fine?

No, it is a required contribution or share of a cost, like neighborhood dues.

自治会の分担金を払う。

分担 vs 折半 (Seppan)

Both divide costs.

Seppan is strictly 50/50. Buntan can be any ratio.

費用を折半する vs 費用を分担する

Sentence Patterns

[Task] を分担しましょう。

掃除を分担しましょう。

[Person] と [Task] を分担する。

友達と仕事を分担する。

[Task] の分担を決める。

役割の分担を決める。

[Context] における役割分担を明確にする。

チームにおける役割分担を明確にする。

[Entity] 間での費用分担を協議する。

両国間での費用分担を協議する。

[Ability] に応じて分担を割り振る。

能力に応じて分担を割り振る。

分担が [Adjective] です。

分担が不公平です。

[Concept] の分担という観点から分析する。

リスクの分担という観点から分析する。

Word Family

Nouns

分担 (Buntan - Division)

分担金 (Buntankin - Contribution)

役割分担 (Yakuwari Buntan - Role division)

Verbs

分担する (Buntan suru - To divide)

分担させる (Buntan saseru - To make someone divide)

Adjectives

分担的な (Buntanteki na - Divisional/Shared - rare)

分ける (Wake-ru)

担当 (Tantou)

負担 (Futan)

分散 (Bunsan)

分配 (Bunpai)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in business, news, and discussions about household management.

Common Mistakes

ケーキを分担する → ケーキを分ける / 分け合う
Food is not a 'burden' or 'task'.
秘密を分担する → 秘密を共有する
Secrets are shared information, not divided work.
役割分担をやる → 役割分担を決める / する
'Yaru' is too informal; 'kimeru' or 'suru' is more natural.
一人で分担する → 一人で担当する
You cannot 'divide' something if you are alone. Use 'tantou'.
分担をあげる → 分担を割り当てる
'Ageru' (give) is not used for tasks; use 'wariateru' (assign).

Tips

Use for Tasks

Always use buntan when you are dividing work, chores, or responsibilities.

Compound Words

Learn 'Yakuwari Buntan' as a single set phrase; it's incredibly common.

Team Spirit

Using 'buntan' shows you are a team player who cares about fair workload distribution.

Cost Sharing

Use 'hiyou buntan' in business contexts when discussing who pays for what.

Divide & Carry

Remember: Bun (Divide) + Tan (Carry on shoulder). Divide the load, carry the part.

Flat Tone

Keep your voice level. Don't stress any particular syllable in 'buntan'.

Kanji Practice

Practice the right side of 'tan' (担) carefully; it's the same as in 'tantou'.

Clarify Roles

In meetings, say 'Buntan wo meikaku ni shimashou' to clear up confusion.

Avoid Conflict

Discussing 'kaji buntan' early in a relationship can prevent future arguments.

Not for Fun

Don't use it for sharing 'fun' things like games or snacks.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'BUN' (bread) being cut into 'TAN' (tons) of pieces for everyone to carry. Or: 'Divide (分) the Burden (担)'.

Visual Association

Imagine two people carrying a long log. They each have a shoulder under it. That is 'buntan'.

Word Web

Work Fairness Team Divide Shoulder Responsibility Role Cost

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house right now that are 'buntan-ed' (e.g., who pays the rent, who cleans the bathroom, who feeds the pet).

Word Origin

Composed of two Sino-Japanese characters (Kanjigo). 'Bun' (分) comes from the image of a knife cutting something in two. 'Tan' (担) depicts a person carrying something on their shoulder.

Original meaning: To divide a load and carry it on the shoulders.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Cultural Context

Avoid using 'buntan' when referring to emotional sharing unless it's the 'burden' of the emotion, as it can sound cold.

In English, we often say 'Let's share the work,' which is broader. 'Buntan' is more specific about assigning parts.

Kaji Buntan (Housework sharing) is a frequent topic in 'Josei' (Women's) magazines. Business books like 'The Art of Role Division'. Government white papers on 'Social Burden Sharing'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Office Project

役割分担を決めましょう
進捗を分担して確認する
資料作成を分担する
リーダーが分担を指示する

Household

家事の分担が不公平だ
育児を分担する
ゴミ出しを分担する
共働きなので分担が必要だ

School/Group

発表の分担をする
掃除の分担表
イベントの係を分担する
みんなで分担して運ぶ

Business/Finance

初期費用を分担する
リスクを分担する契約
開発費の分担割合
コスト分担の適正化

International/News

防衛費の負担分担
温室効果ガス削減の分担
国際的な責任分担
人道支援の分担

Conversation Starters

"「このプロジェクト、どうやって役割を分担しましょうか？」"

"「家事の分担で、何か工夫していることはありますか？」"

"「費用の分担については、折半でよろしいでしょうか？」"

"「作業を分担したほうが効率がいいと思いませんか？」"

"「あなたの会社では、どのように業務を分担していますか？」"

Journal Prompts

今日の仕事や勉強で、誰かと分担したことはありますか？その感想を書いてください。

理想的な家事の分担について、あなたの考えを詳しく説明してください。

過去に分担がうまくいかなかった経験はありますか？何が原因でしたか？

「責任を分担する」ことのメリットとデメリットについて考えてみましょう。

自分の得意なことを分担に活かすにはどうすればいいか、計画を立ててみましょう。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that sounds very strange. Use 'wake-au' or 'wakeru' for food. 'Buntan' is for responsibilities or costs.

It means 'division of roles.' It is the most common phrase used in Japanese projects to define who does what.

It is neutral to formal. It is perfectly fine in daily conversation but also appropriate for business contracts.

'Tantou' is the person in charge of a specific task. 'Buntan' is the act of dividing the whole set of tasks among the 'tantou' people.

No. Use 'himitsu wo kyouyuu suru' (share a secret). 'Buntan' implies a burden or work.

You say 'kouhei na buntan' (公平な分担).

It is both. You can say 'buntan' (noun) or 'buntan suru' (verb).

Yes, it's often used for sharing 'futan' (burdens), 'risuku' (risks), or 'hiyou' (costs).

It means 'sharing housework.' It's a very common term in modern Japanese society.

It's better to say 'Go-buntan negaemasu ka' or ask 'Dono bubun wo tantou saremasu ka' to be more polite.