What does “wakeru” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “wakeru” often to mean ‘to share’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this verb as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I will explain it together with its major conjugations. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners use “wakeru” more properly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
- Definition and meanings of “wakeru”
- Wakenai: the nai form of “wakeru”
- Wakeyou: the volitional form of “wakeru”
- Wakemasu: the masu form of “wakeru”
- Waketa: the ta form of “wakeru”
- Wakete: the te form of “wakeru”
- Wakereba: the ba form of “wakeru”
- Summary
Definition and meanings of “wakeru”
Let me start with the definition and meanings of “wakeru”.
- wakeru – 分ける (わける) : a verb meaning ‘to share’ in Japanese. Depending on the context and situation, this can also mean ‘to divide’, ‘to separate’, or such in Japanese.
The definition and meanings are not that difficult, I think. The meanings seem to be based on similar concepts as sharing usually requires dividing or separating. Then, let me explain how to use this verb through the example sentence below.
Example #1: how to say “share” in Japanese
watashi wa itsumo tabemono wo wakeru – 私はいつも食べ物を分ける (わたしはいつもたべものをとわける)
I always share my food.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “watashi” to make the subject in the sentence.
- itsumo – いつも : an adverb of frequency meaning ‘always’ in Japanese.
- tabemono – 食べ物 (たべもの) : a noun meaning ‘food’ or such in Japanese.
- wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “tabemono” to make the object in the sentence.
This is a typical usage of “wakeru”. In this example, it works together with the case particle, “wo”, to have the object in the sentence. When we want to mean ‘to share’ in Japanese, anyway, this verb is a very good option.
So far, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “wakeru” and how to use it through the example sentence. In the rest part of this blog post, I will explain its major conjugations. The first one is “wakenai”.
Wakenai: the nai form of “wakeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “wakenai”.
- wakenai – 分けない (わけない) : the nai form of “wakeru”, which means ‘not to share’, ‘not to divide’, ‘not to separate’, or such in Japanese.
Grammatically, “wakenai” consists of the following two parts:
- wake – 分け (わけ) : one conjugation of “wakeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “nai”.
- nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this auxiliary verb is very similar to that of “not”.
From these two parts, we can understand that “wakenai” is literally the nai form of “wakeru” and means ‘not to share’, ‘not to divide’, ‘not to separate’, or such in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #2: how to say “not share” in Japanese
imouto wa tabemono wo wakenai – 妹は食べ物を分けない (いもうとはたべものをわけない)
My little sister doesn’t share her food.
Below is the new word used in the example sentence.
- imouto – 妹 (いもうと) : a noun meaning ‘little sister’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
This is a typical usage of “wakenai”. When we want to mean ‘not to share’ in Japanese, this nai form is a good option.
Wakeyou: the volitional form of “wakeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “wakeyou”.
- wakeyou – 分けよう (わけよう) : the volitional form of “wakeru”, which expresses volition to share, divide, separate, or such.
Grammatically, “wakeyou” consists of the following two parts:
- wake – 分け (わけ) : one conjugation of “wakeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “you”.
- you – よう : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make its volitional form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “wakeyou” is literally the volitional form of “wakeru” and expresses volition to share, divide, separate, or such in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #3: how to say “let’s share” in Japanese
kono tabemono wo wakeyou – この食べ物を分けよう (このたべものをわけよう)
Let’s share this food!
Below is the new word used in the example sentence.
- kono – この : a determiner used before a noun referring to a thing close to the speaker. In the example, this is used before “tabemono” to say “this food” in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “wakeyou”. In this example, it works to make the suggestion. When we want to say “let’s share” in Japanese, this volitional form is a good option.
Wakemasu: the masu form of “wakeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “wakemasu”.
- wakemasu – 分けます (わけます) : the masu form of “wakeru”, which means ‘to share’, ‘to divide’, ‘to separate’, or such politely in Japanese.
Grammatically, “wakemasu” consists of the following two parts:
- wake – 分け (わけ) : one conjugation of “wakeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “masu”.
- masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “wakemasu” is literally the masu form of “wakeru” and means ‘to share’, ‘to divide’, ‘to separate’, or such in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #4: how to say “share” politely in Japanese
watashi tachi wa tokidoki shigoto wo wakemasu – 私達は時々仕事を分けます (わたしたちはときどきしごとをわけます)
We sometimes share our work.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “watashi” to make its plural form, “watashi tachi”, which means ‘we’ in Japanese.
- tokidoki – 時々 (ときどき) : an adverb of frequency meaning ‘sometimes’ in Japanese.
- shigoto – 仕事 (しごと) : a noun meaning ‘work’ or such in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “wakemasu”. Its politeness has not been reflected in the English sentence, but the Japanese sentence sounds polite thanks to the masu form. When we want to mean ‘to share’ politely in Japanese, this form is a good option.
Waketa: the ta form of “wakeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “waketa”.
- waketa – 分けた (わけた) : the ta form of “wakeru”, which means ‘shared’, ‘divided’, ‘separated’, or such in Japanese.
Grammatically, “waketa” consists of the following two parts:
- wake – 分け (わけ) : one conjugation of “wakeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ta”.
- ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “waketa” is literally the past tense form of “wakeru” and means ‘shared’, ‘divided’, ‘separated’, or such in Japanese. Let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #5: how to say “shared” in Japanese
boku wa imouto to tabemono wo waketa – 僕は妹と食べ物を分けた (ぼくはいもうととたべものをわけた)
I shared the food with my little sister.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
- to – と : a case particle used to say with whom someone does something. In the example, this is used after “imouto” to say with whom the speaker shared the food.
This is a typical usage of “waketa”. When we want to use the past tense form of “wakeru”, this form is the best option.
Wakete: the te form of “wakeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “wakete”.
- wakete – 分けて (わけて) : the te form of “wakeru”, which means ‘to share’, ‘to divide’, ‘to separate’, or such in Japanese.
Grammatically, “wakete” consists of the following two parts:
- wake – 分け (わけ) : one conjugation of “wakeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “te”.
- te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “wakete” is literally the te form of “wakeru”. In Japanese, te-formed words have some important roles. One of them is make smooth connections of words. So, “wakete” is very useful when we want to use “wakeru” in front of another verb, an adjective, or an auxiliary verb. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #6: how to say “please share” in Japanese
anata no chishiki wo wakete kudasai – あなたの知識を分けてください (あなたのちしきをわけてください)
Please share your knowledge.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- anata – あなた : a pronoun meaning ‘you’ in Japanese.
- no – の : a case particle used after a noun or pronoun to make its possessive case. In the example, this is used after “anata” to make its possessive case, “anata no”, which means ‘your’ in Japanese.
- chishiki – 知識 (ちしき) : a noun meaning ‘knowledge’ in Japanese.
- kudasai – ください : one conjugation of the verb, “kudasaru”, which means ‘to give’ in Japanese. When this follows a verb, however, this can work like an auxiliary verb to add the meaning of ‘please’. In the example, this works like an auxiliary verb after “wakete” to add the meaning of ‘please’.
This is a typical usage of “wakete”. In the example, it has the smooth connection with “kudasai”. When we want to use “wakeru” in front of another verb like this, its te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
Wakereba: the ba form of “wakeru”
Lastly, let me explain the definition and meanings of “wakereba”.
- wakereba – 分ければ (わければ) : the ba form of “wakeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to share’, ‘to divide’, ‘to separate’, or such in Japanese.
Grammatically, “wakereba” consists of the following two parts:
- wakere – 分けれ (わけれ) : one conjugation of “wakeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ba”.
- ba – ば : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its ba form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “wakereba” is literally the ba form of “wakeru”. In Japanese, the ba forms of words can work as their conditional forms. So, we can use “wakereba” to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to share’, ‘to divide’, ‘to separate’, or such in Japanese. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #7: how to say “if share” in Japanese
tabemono wo wakereba, kanojo wa wasure nai yo – 食べ物を分ければ、彼女は忘れないよ (たべものをわければ、かのじょはわすれないよ)
If you share your food with her, she will not forget it.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese.
- wasure – 忘れ (わすれ) : one conjugation of the verb, “wasureru“, which means ‘to forget’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
- nai – ない : the same as used in “wakenai”. In this example, this is used after “wasure” to deny its meaning.
- yo – よ : a sentence-ending particle used to state the fact or idea in a soft way. As the definition suggests, this is used at the end of the example sentence to state the speaker’s idea softly.
This is a typical usage of “wakereba”. In this example, it works as a part of the conditional clause, “tabemono wo wakereba”, which means ‘if you share your food with her’ in Japanese. When we want to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to share’ in Japanese, this ba form is a good option.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “wakeru” together with tis major conjugations. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.
- wakeru – 分ける (わける) : a verb meaning ‘to share’ in Japanese. Depending on the context and situation, this can also mean ‘to divide’, ‘to separate’, or such in Japanese.
- wakenai – 分けない (わけない) : the nai form of “wakeru”, which means ‘not to share’, ‘not to divide’, ‘not to separate’, or such in Japanese.
- wakeyou – 分けよう (わけよう) : the volitional form of “wakeru”, which expresses volition to share, divide, separate, or such.
- wakemasu – 分けます (わけます) : the masu form of “wakeru”, which means ‘to share’, ‘to divide’, ‘to separate’, or such politely in Japanese.
- waketa – 分けた (わけた) : the ta form of “wakeru”, which means ‘shared’, ‘divided’, ‘separated’, or such in Japanese.
- wakete – 分けて (わけて) : the te form of “wakeru”, which means ‘to share’, ‘to divide’, ‘to separate’, or such in Japanese. When we want to use “wakeru” in front of another verb, this te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
- wakereba – 分ければ (わければ) : the ba form of “wakeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to share’, ‘to divide’, ‘to separate’, or such in Japanese.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
