How to say "distribution" in Japanese

• 配信はいしんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers the distribution of information, news, and similar content, with a strong sense of transmission or delivery, as in broadcasting or streaming media to an audience. This is the word for distributing digital content.
• 配布はいふJLPT N1approx.Common
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveThe general word for distribution in the sense of handing things out or distributing items to people, such as distributing materials or software to users. When you simply mean distributing something to recipients, this is usually the word you want.
  先生せんせいはチラシを配布はいふした。↗

  The teacher distributed the leaflets.
• 分布ぶんぷJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbRefers to distribution in the sense of how things are spread out or distributed across an area or range, as in statistics or descriptions of where something occurs. It is not for the act of distributing things to people.
  この種しゅの昆虫こんちゅうは日本にっぽんに広ひろく分布ぶんぷしている。↗

  These insects are widely distributed throughout Japan.
• 配分はいぶんJLPT N1approx.Common
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveCovers distribution in the sense of allotment: dividing something up and allocating shares of it, such as distributing time, resources, or portions among parties. Use it when the emphasis is on apportioning rather than delivering.
  医療いりょう品ひんは被災者ひさいしゃたちに配分はいぶんされた。↗

  The medical supplies were allocated to the victims of the disaster.
• 配給はいきゅうJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbUsed for distribution in specific commercial or official senses, such as the distribution of films or the rationed distribution of rice. Outside these senses it is seldom the word you want for 'distribution'.
  『極道ごくどうの妻つまたち』は、1986年ねん、東映とうえい配給はいきゅう網もうにより公開こうかいされたヤクザ映画えいが。↗

  "Gang Wives" is a Yakuza movie released in 1986 by Toei Distribution Network.

Choose 配信 for distributing information or media content, 配布 for handing things out, 分布 for statistical or spatial distribution, 配分 for allotting shares, and 配給 for film distribution or rationing.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 配信はいしんdistribution (of information, news, etc.)
• 配布はいふdistribution
• 分布ぶんぷdistribution
• 配分はいぶんdistribution
• 配給はいきゅうdistribution (e.g. films, rice)
• 流通りゅうつうcirculation (of money, goods, etc.)
• 配合はいごうcombination
• 頒布はんぷdistribution
• 分与ぶんよdistribution
• 分散ぶんさんdispersion
• 分配ぶんぱいdivision
• 振り分けふりわけdivide
• ディストリビューションdistribution
• 分散型ぶんさんがたdistribution
• 分餐ぶんさんdistribution (of bread and wine during Communion)
• 送配そうはいdistribution (e.g. power, water, etc.)
• 配荷はいかdistribution (e.g. of products to a retailer)
• 配賦はいふallocation
• 割り付けわりつけallotment
• 層別そうべつstratification
• ディストロdistro
• 分けわけsharing
• 配布物はいふぶつdistribution (esp. software)