• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Japanese Particles Master

particles for perfection

  • Home
  • grammar
  • particles
  • nouns
  • verbs
  • adjectives
  • adverbs
  • translation
  • Author
Home » verbs » Wakeru is the Japanese verb for ‘to share’, explained

May 30, 2023 By Masaki Mori

Wakeru is the Japanese verb for ‘to share’, explained

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”
    • Example #1: how to say “share” in Japanese
  • Wakenai: the nai form of “wakeru”
    • Example #2: how to say “not share” in Japanese
  • Wakeyou: the volitional form of “wakeru”
    • Example #3: how to say “let’s share” in Japanese
  • Wakemasu: the masu form of “wakeru”
    • Example #4: how to say “share” politely in Japanese
  • Waketa: the ta form of “wakeru”
    • Example #5: how to say “shared” in Japanese
  • Wakete: the te form of “wakeru”
    • Example #6: how to say “please share” in Japanese
  • Wakereba: the ba form of “wakeru”
    • Example #7: how to say “if share” in Japanese
  • 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.

  • Share on Twitter Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit Share on Reddit
  • Share via Email Share via Email

Filed Under: verbs

Recent Posts

  • Komorebi is the Japanese word for ‘sunlight through leaves’
  • Nikkouyoku is the Japanese word for ‘sunbathing’, explained
  • Shinrinyoku is the Japanese word for ‘forest bathing’, explained
  • Hatsutaiken is the Japanese word for ‘first experience’
  • Hatsuyuki is the Japanese word for ‘first snow of the season’

Primary Sidebar

Written by Masaki Mori

Engineer and industrial translator for more than ten years. I teach Japanese to spread the Japanese culture. I always try to explain every single new word so that Japanese learners can understand the correct meanings of example sentences. Read More…

Follow Me on Social Media

  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Learn more words by kanji groups

Kanji for bad Kanji for beauty Kanji for big Kanji for cat Kanji for child Kanji for day Kanji for devil Kanji for eye Kanji for fire Kanji for god Kanji for ground Kanji for hand Kanji for he Kanji for heart Kanji for heaven Kanji for mood Kanji for moon Kanji for mouth Kanji for night Kanji for now Kanji for one of a pair Kanji for person Kanji for rain Kanji for time Kanji for tree Kanji for week Kanji for what Kanji for woman Kanji for year

Check recent posts

  • Komorebi is the Japanese word for ‘sunlight through leaves’
  • Nikkouyoku is the Japanese word for ‘sunbathing’, explained
  • Shinrinyoku is the Japanese word for ‘forest bathing’, explained
  • Hatsutaiken is the Japanese word for ‘first experience’
  • Hatsuyuki is the Japanese word for ‘first snow of the season’

Are you still looking for something?

Footer

Pages

  • Author

Categories

  • adjectives
  • adverbs
  • grammar
  • nouns
  • particles
  • translation
  • verbs
  • vocabulary

Written by Masaki Mori

Engineer and industrial translator for more than ten years. I teach Japanese to spread the Japanese culture. Read More…

Follow Me on Social Media

  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Feed

  • RSS

Copyright © 2017–2025 Japanese Particles Master All Rights Reserved.