verteilen
to distribute
To hand something out to several people or bring it to different places.
EXAMPLE
Der Lehrer verteilt die korrigierten Klassenarbeiten an die Schüler.
The teacher distributes the corrected class tests to the students.
verteilen
to distribute / spread
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Meanings
verteilen
to spread
To spread something over a surface so that it covers it more or less evenly.
EXAMPLE
Bitte verteilen Sie die Sonnencreme gleichmäßig auf der Haut.
Please spread the sunscreen evenly over the skin.
sich verteilen
to disperse
To spread out over an area or space; to move apart.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Konzert verteilte sich die Menschenmenge schnell in der ganzen Stadt.
After the concert, the crowd quickly dispersed throughout the city.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verteilen' (to distribute/spread) is an inseparable verb with the prefix 'ver-'. It is derived from the verb 'teilen' (to divide/share). The prefix 'ver-' here often describes the process of bringing something to different places or people.
EXAMPLE
Die Hilfsgüter wurden an die Bevölkerung verteilt.
The relief supplies were distributed to the population.
Use with 'an'
When you state who receives something, use the preposition 'an' with the accusative. The structure is: 'etwas an jemanden verteilen' (to distribute something to someone).
EXAMPLE
Die Flugblätter wurden an die Passanten verteilt.
The flyers were distributed to the passersby.
Use with 'auf'/'über'
To describe the surface on which something is spread out, you use the prepositions 'auf' (on, with dative) or 'über' (over, with accusative).
EXAMPLE
Verteile die Sauce gleichmäßig auf der Pizza.
Spread the sauce evenly on the pizza.
Reflexive: 'sich verteilen'
The reflexive form 'sich verteilen' (to disperse/spread out) is often used for groups of people or things that spread out in a room or area. It describes movement from one point to many.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Veranstaltung verteilten sich die Besucher in den umliegenden Cafés.
After the event, the visitors dispersed into the nearby cafés.
Compare with
teilenverbreitenvergebenausgebenaustragenaufteilenzuteilenverstreuenausbreitenstreuenverstreichenausteilen
verteilen vs teilen
to share / divide
Teilen emphasizes breaking a whole into several parts or portions. Verteilen, by contrast, emphasizes that the parts reach several people or places. Whoever creates portions teilt them; whoever gives them to the recipients verteilt them.
verteilen
Mia verteilt die acht Kuchenstücke an die Gäste.
Mia distributes the eight pieces of cake to the guests.
teilen
Mia teilt den Kuchen in acht gleich große Stücke.
Mia divides the cake into eight equal pieces.
In real life
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