御裾分け — osusowake

Meaning

「御裾分け」は日本の伝統的な分け合いの文化を表す言葉です。

英語での説明:

“御裾分け” (o-susowake) means “sharing” or “giving a portion of something you received to others.”

Key meanings:

• Sharing a portion of food, gifts, or goods you received with neighbors, friends, or family
• A modest way of offering something to others
• The act of distributing something you have plenty of

Breaking down the word:

• “御” (o) = honorific prefix showing politeness
• “裾分け” (susowake) = literally “hem sharing” or “sharing from the bottom/edge”
  • “裾” (suso) = hem, bottom edge
  • “分け” (wake) = sharing, dividing

English equivalents:

• “sharing what you’ve received”
• “passing along a portion”
• “sharing the wealth”
• “giving some to others”

Cultural significance: This practice reflects important Japanese values:

• Community spirit and neighborly kindness
• Humility (presenting it as “just a small portion”)
• Reciprocity and maintaining social bonds
• Not keeping good things to yourself

Common usage scenarios:

• Sharing fruit or vegetables from your garden
• Distributing souvenirs brought back from a trip
• Sharing food gifts received from others
• Passing along items you have in abundance

Example in context: “たくさんもらったので、御裾分けです” = “I received a lot, so I’d like to share some with you”

The term emphasizes modesty—you’re presenting it as “just sharing a bit of what I have” rather than “giving you a gift,” which makes it easier for the recipient to accept without feeling obligated.

Example sentences

「御裾分け」の例文20個を英訳付きで作成します。

1. 実家から野菜がたくさん届いたので、御裾分けにどうぞ。 I received a lot of vegetables from my family home, so please accept some.

2. お土産をいただいたので、御裾分けです。 I received a souvenir, so I’d like to share some with you.

3. 御裾分けと言って、隣の奥さんが手作りクッキーを持ってきてくれた。 The lady next door brought homemade cookies, saying she wanted to share them.

4. 庭で採れた果物の御裾分けを、近所に配った。 I distributed some of the fruit from my garden to the neighbors.

5. つまらないものですが、御裾分けということで受け取ってください。 It’s nothing special, but please accept this as a small sharing gesture.

6. 旅行のお土産を御裾分けしたら、とても喜んでもらえた。 When I shared souvenirs from my trip, everyone was very pleased.

7. 親戚から大量にもらったので、御裾分けさせていただきます。 I received a large amount from relatives, so please allow me to share some with you.

8. 御裾分けの文化は、日本の美しい習慣の一つだと思う。 I think the culture of sharing what you’ve received is one of Japan’s beautiful customs.

9. 釣りで魚がたくさん釣れたので、御裾分けに伺いました。 I caught a lot of fish, so I came to share some with you.

10. 御裾分けをいただいて、ご近所付き合いの大切さを感じた。 Receiving a shared portion made me realize the importance of neighborly relationships.

11. 母は御裾分けをもらうと、必ずお返しをする人だった。 My mother was someone who always reciprocated when she received something shared.

12. 少しですが、御裾分けということでお持ちしました。 It’s just a little, but I brought this to share with you.

13. 御裾分けをするときは、相手の好みも考慮することが大切だ。 When sharing what you’ve received, it’s important to consider the other person’s preferences.

14. 田舎では、御裾分けの習慣が今でも根強く残っている。 In rural areas, the custom of sharing is still deeply rooted.

15. お中元でいただいたお菓子を、御裾分けとして職場に持っていった。 I brought the sweets I received as a summer gift to work to share with colleagues.

16. 御裾分けをいただくと、人の温かさを感じる。 When I receive something shared, I feel people’s warmth.

17. 祖母は、何かもらうと必ず近所に御裾分けしていた。 My grandmother always shared with the neighbors whenever she received something.

18. 御裾分けという言葉には、日本人の謙虚さが表れている。 The word “osusowake” reflects Japanese humility.

19. たくさん作りすぎたので、御裾分けさせてください。 I made too much, so please let me share some with you.

20. 御裾分けを通じて、コミュニティの絆が深まる。 Community bonds deepen through the practice of sharing.

これらの例文は、「御裾分け」という日本の伝統的な分け合いの文化と、その背景にある思いやりや謙虚さを表現しています。

Conversation example