かけ

to hang, to be in the middle of doing something

The grammar point 'かけ' indicates that an action is partially completed or that something is hanging in the balance, suggesting either a sense of incompletion or a specific state.

N3

Meaning

to hang, to be in the middle of doing something

The grammar point 'かけ' indicates that an action is partially completed or that something is hanging in the balance, suggesting either a sense of incompletion or a specific state.

Formation

Verb (ます form) + かける
Verb (て form) + かける

Explanation

'かけ' is a versatile suffix used with verbs to convey the idea of an action being in progress or partially completed. It highlights that something is either just starting or not fully finished. This can apply to physical actions as well as abstract concepts. For example, you might express that something is hanging or on the verge of being completed.

In casual conversation, you might hear someone say that they are 'reading a book,' using the form 読みかけ. This implies they have started reading the book but have not yet finished it. The usage of 'かける' can suggest a variety of nuances depending on the context, including intent, effort, and proximity to completion.

  • When using 'かけ', it's also important to consider the verb tense and context, as it can affect the meaning.
  • This expression is often used to indicate tasks that are left undone or in a state of interruption.