Processing keyword: ～かける (〜kakeru)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～かける (〜kakeru)

～かける (〜kakeru)

1. Introduction

The grammar point ～かける (〜kakeru) is a versatile expression in Japanese that conveys the meaning of an action being incomplete or in progress. It often translates to "half-..." or "begun to..." in English, indicating that something has started but not yet finished.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• Incomplete Action: Describes an action that has been started but not completed.
• In Progress: Indicates that something is in the midst of occurring.

Structure

1. Verb Stem + かける
2. Verb Stem + かけの + Noun
3. Verb Stem + かけだ

Formation Diagram

[Verb Stem] + かける

Breakdown

• Verb Stem: The masu-form of a verb minus ます.
  • For example, 飲みます (nomimasu) → 飲み (nomi)
• かける: Attached to the verb stem to indicate an incomplete action.

Visual Aid: Verb Conjugation Table

3. Comparative Analysis

～始める (〜hajimeru)

• Usage: Indicates the start of an action.
• Example: 読み始める (yomihajimeru) - "to start reading" Difference: While ～始める emphasizes the beginning of an action, ～かける emphasizes that an action has started but remains unfinished.

～途中 (〜tochū)

• Usage: Means "in the middle of" doing something.
• Example: 読み途中 (yomitochū) - "in the middle of reading" Difference: Both indicate an ongoing action, but ～かける often implies that the action was interrupted or left incomplete, whereas ～途中 simply states that the action is ongoing.

4. Examples in Context

Example 1: Informal Spoken

• Japanese: 彼は言いかけて黙ってしまった。
• Romaji: Kare wa iikakete damatte shimatta.
• English: He started to say something but then fell silent.

Example 2: Formal Written

• Japanese: 読みかけの本を図書館に返しました。
• Romaji: Yomikake no hon o toshokan ni kaeshimashita.
• English: I returned the half-read book to the library.

Example 3: Casual Conversation

• Japanese: 食べかけのケーキを冷蔵庫に入れておいた。
• Romaji: Tabekake no kēki o reizōko ni irete oita.
• English: I put the partially-eaten cake in the fridge.

Example 4: Polite Speech

• Japanese: 書きかけですが、レポートを送ります。
• Romaji: Kakikake desu ga, repōto o okurimasu.
• English: It's incomplete, but I will send the report.

5. Cultural Notes

Levels of Formality

• ～かける can be used in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in everyday conversation.
• In formal writing, other expressions like 未完の (mikan no) meaning "unfinished" might be used.

Idiomatic Expressions

• 死にかける (shinikakeru): Literally "on the verge of dying"; used idiomatically to mean "almost died" or "came close to dying."
  • Example: 溺れて死にかけた。
  • English: I nearly drowned.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistake 1: Using the Plain Form Instead of the Verb Stem

• Incorrect: 読むかける
• Correct: 読みかける Tip: Always use the verb stem (masu-form minus ます) before attaching かける.

Common Mistake 2: Confusing with ～ている Form

• Incorrect: 読んでかける
• Correct: 読みかける Tip: Do not combine て-form with かける. Use the verb stem instead.

Mnemonic Device

• Think of かける as "kakke," sounding like "cake" that's half-eaten. This can help you remember that it refers to something half-done.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～かける is used to express an action that has started but is not completed.
• It attaches to the verb stem.
• Useful for indicating incomplete tasks or actions interrupted midway.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you form the ～かける expression with verbs?
2. Translate to Japanese using ～かける: "The movie was half-watched."
3. What is the difference between ～かける and ～始める? Answers
4. Attach かける to the verb stem (masu-form minus ます).
5. 見かけの映画だった。 (Mikake no eiga datta.)
6. ～かける indicates an action started but not finished; ～始める indicates the start of an action.

Note: Ensure to practice forming sentences with ～かける to become comfortable with its usage in various contexts.