How to say "treat" in Japanese

• 扱うあつかうJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'treat' only in the sense of conduct — how you deal with a person, treating them well or badly; it also covers handling things. It never means treating someone to food.
• もてなすJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbUse this verb when you treat a guest — welcoming and entertaining a visitor hospitably; it names the act of hosting, not the treat itself, and is usually written in kana alone.
  主人しゅじんはパーティーで私達わたしたちをもてなしてくれた。↗

  The host entertained us at the party.
• ご馳走ごちそうJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA treat as food and drink: the meal someone treats you to, or the act of treating someone to a meal or taking them to dinner. It is a polite word.
  手伝てつだってくれたお礼れいに、お昼ひるをごちそうしたいのですが。↗

  I'd like to treat you to lunch to thank you for all your help.
• 振る舞いふるまいCommon
  nounA treat in the sense of a feast or banquet: entertainment consisting of food and drink put on for people. Use it for the occasion or the meal itself.
• もてなしCommon
  nounThe noun for hospitality: entertaining guests with food and drink, or the light refreshments you offer them. It is the noun counterpart of もてなす and is usually written in kana alone.

Use 「扱う」 for treating people in the sense of how you deal with them, 「もてなす」 for entertaining guests, and 「ご馳走」, 「振る舞い」, or 「もてなし」 for a treat of food and drink.

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

• 扱うあつかうto deal with (a person)
• もてなすto treat (a guest)
• ご馳走ごちそうtreat (esp. food and drink)
• あしらうto treat
• ごちtreat
• 饗するきょうするto treat
• 饗すきょうすto treat
• 遇するぐうするto entertain
• 遇すぐうすto entertain
• 取り扱うとりあつかうto treat (someone)
• 振る舞いふるまいentertainment
• もてなし(light) refreshment
• ご褒美ごほうびtreat
• 仕向けるしむけるto act toward (someone in a certain way)
• 取り持つとりもつto entertain (guests)
• おもてなし(light) refreshment
• 造作ぞうさhospitality
• おごりtreat (i.e. at someone's expense)
• 当たるあたるto treat (esp. harshly)