to allocate / deal
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to allocate
To give someone a certain share of something or assign a specific task, often because the resource is limited.
Jedem Flüchtling wurde eine Decke und eine warme Mahlzeit zugeteilt.
Each refugee was allocated a blanket and a hot meal.
'Zuteilen' (to allocate) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zu-' goes to the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive, the verb stays together.
Der Lehrer teilt jedem Schüler ein Thema zu.
The teacher assigns each student a topic.
This verb almost always requires a person in the dative who receives something. The structure is: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) zuteilen.
Man hat uns einen neuen Arbeitsplatz zugeteilt.
We were assigned a new workstation.
The verb is based on 'teilen' (to divide/share). The prefix 'zu-' emphasizes the direction of the action: something is divided and specifically given to a person or group.
Die knappen Lebensmittel wurden an die Bevölkerung zugeteilt.
The scarce food supplies were allocated to the population.
When the word is used in the context of 'Karten' (cards) or 'Spielern' (players), it means to deal the playing cards.
Wer teilt die Karten für die nächste Runde zu?
Who is dealing the cards for the next round?
to give
'geben' and 'zuteilen' can both mean that someone receives something. 'Geben' describes the action in general. 'Zuteilen' is more specific and fits when something is distributed according to a plan, for example tasks, seats, money, or limited resources. Often, a person or institution decides who gets which share. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases something reaches someone. If it is only about a simple handover, you say 'geben'. If it is about a regulated distribution or assignment, 'zuteilen' is more natural.
In der Schule wurden die Kinder so eingeteilt, dass jeder Gruppe ein Raum zugeteilt wurde.
At school, the children were divided up so that each group was allocated a room.
Mara gibt ihrer Freundin am Wochenende den Wohnungsschlüssel.
Mara gives her friend the apartment key on the weekend.