French Verb 'Distribuer': Complete Guide to Meaning, Conjugation & Usage

When it comes to French verbs, "distribuer" is an essential one to master. In this article, we'll delve into the meaning of "distribuer", its conjugation in different tenses, and provide examples of how to use it in sentences.

What Does 'Distribuer' Mean in French?

The verb "distribuer" has several meanings depending on the context. Primarily, it means to distribute or divide something, such as resources, tasks, or goods among a group or individuals. Additionally, it can mean to provide or supply something, like food, water, or services, to a specific audience. In a broader sense, "distribuer" encompasses actions related to dispersion, sharing, or allocation of items, whether physical or abstract. For instance, you might distribute leaflets in the street, distribute tasks among team members, or distribute knowledge through education.

Conjugation of 'Distribuer'

Here's a breakdown of the conjugation of "distribuer" in different tenses:

Pronoun	Présent (Present)	Passé composé (Past)	Futur simple (Future)
Jeg	distribute	ai distribué	distribuerai
Tu	distribues	as distribué	distribueras
	distribute	a distribué	distribuera
Nous	distribuons	avons distribué	distributorons
Vous	distributez	avez distribué	distribuerez
Ils/Elles	distribuent	ont distribué	distribueront

How to Use 'Distribuer' in a Sentence

Here are six example sentences showcasing the verb "distribuer" in different contexts and tenses:

• Distributez ces leaflets dans la rue. - Distribute these flyers on the street. (Present tense)
• J'ai distribué les tâches entre les membres de l'équipe. - I distributed tasks among the team members. (Past tense)
• Distribuera-t-on les récompenses aux joueurs? - Will we distribute rewards to the players? (Future tense)
• L'association distribue des denrées à tous les nécessiteux. - The association distributes food to all those in need. (Present tense)
• Nous avons distribué les cours de français aux écoliers. - We distributed French courses to the students. (Past tense)
• Ils distribuent des livres dans les bibliothèques publiques. - They distribute books in public libraries. (Present tense)

Common Expressions and Phrases with 'Distribuer'

Here are four idiomatic French expressions using the verb "distribuer":

• Distribuer le pain sec. - To dish out the dry bread (idiomatically means to give someone a hard time or scold them)
• Faire distribuer ses vêtements à des associations caritatives. - To donate clothes to charitable organizations (literally, "to distribute one's clothing")
• Distribuer les cartes de réduction aux clients fidèles. - To give loyalty cards to loyal customers (literally, "to distribute reduction cards")
• Distribuer des cours de yoga dans les parcs publics. - To offer yoga classes in public parks (literally, "to distribute yoga courses")

Tips for Remembering 'Distribuer'

To help you remember the verb "distribuer", try these tips:

• Focus on the root word "tribu-" which means to divide or share.
• Practice conjugating "distribuer" in different tenses by using flashcards or online resources.
• Learn idiomatic expressions and phrases that incorporate the verb, such as those listed above.

Practice the verb distribuer on My-French.com