お裾 分(すそわ)け

おすそわけ

noun

sharing (of gifts or food)

1. sharing gifts or food received, passing along a portion

The practice of sharing part of something you have received (food, gifts, good fortune) with others. Reflects the Japanese custom of distributing gifts and surplus among neighbors, friends, and colleagues.

お裾分(すそわ)けをいただいた。

I received a share (of something they got).

隣(となり)の人(ひと)からりんごのお裾分(すそわ)けをもらった。

I received some apples as a share from my neighbor.

田舎(いなか)の実家(じっか)から野菜(やさい)がたくさん届(とど)いたので、職場(しょくば)の人(ひと)にお裾分(すそわ)けした。

A lot of vegetables arrived from my parents' home in the countryside, so I shared some with my coworkers.

Usage

Used with する (お裾分(すそわ)けする, to share with others) or もらう/いただく (to receive a share). The お prefix is standard and rarely omitted.

Common collocations

お裾分(すそわ)けする: to share with others
お裾分(すそわ)けをもらう: to receive a share
お裾分(すそわ)けをいただく: to receive a share (polite)
幸(しあわ)せのお裾分(すそわ)け: sharing one's happiness (figurative)

Etymology

裾(すそ) (hem of a garment) + 分(わ)け (dividing/sharing). The image is of sharing from the edges or surplus of what one has.

Watch out

Because 裾(すそ) suggests a leftover edge, some people consider お裾分(すそわ)け slightly impolite toward a superior; お福分(ふくわ)け (sharing good fortune) is sometimes used instead

general

Added 2026.2.8 14:27 · Revised 2026.10.10 21:40

10500/10602_osusowake