verteilen
Translation
to distribute, to spread, to hand out, to allocate
Examples
Der Lehrer verteilt die Bücher an die Schüler.
The teacher distributes the books to the students.
Sie verteilt die Butter auf dem Brot.
She spreads the butter on the bread.
Die Kosten werden auf alle verteilt.
The costs are distributed among everyone.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((to sb.)) to distribute sth. to sb. The teacher distributes the books to the students.
((sth.)) ((on sth.)) to spread sth. on sth. She spreads the butter on the bread.
((reflexive)) ((over sth.)) to spread out over sth. The tourists spread out over the whole city.
Similar Words
Etymology
Comes from the prefix `ver-` (implying spreading or finishing an action) + `teilen` (to divide, share). It means to 'divide out' something.
Memory Tips
Think of a server 'distributing' portions of a pie. The pie is `geteilt` (divided) and `ver-` (spread out) among people.