GrammarJLPT N5
→ to hang
To be partway through doing / to start doing but not finish
JLPT N5SuffixNeutral
While かける has many meanings as a standalone verb (to hang, to put on glasses, to multiply, etc.), its most important grammatical function for learners is as a suffix attached to the masu-stem of another verb. As a suffix, かける expresses that an action has been started but is not yet completed, or that something is on the verge of happening. It conveys the idea of being halfway through or about to do something. This distinguishes it from 〜はじめる, which focuses on the starting point of an action, and from 〜だす, which emphasizes a sudden onset. かける specifically highlights the incomplete or midway nature of the action. As a standalone transitive verb, かける covers a wide range of physical actions such as hanging something on a wall or hook, putting on glasses or a blanket, locking a door, or multiplying numbers. The suffix use and the standalone verb use are both extremely common in everyday Japanese across all registers.
Functions
#1 Action started but not completed (suffix)
Structure
Verb (masu-stem) + かける
この本は読みかけたまま、つくえの上にあります。
Here 読みかけた shows that the action of reading was started but not finished. The suffix かける in its past form かけた modifies the noun 本 through まま, painting a picture of an incomplete action whose result still persists. This is one of the most common uses of the suffix かける: describing something that was begun and then left unfinished.This book is sitting on the desk, left half-read.
Structures
- Suffix (halfway through / about to)
- Verb (masu-stem) + かける
- Standalone verb (to hang / to put on)
- Object を + かける
Common mistakes
A common mistake is confusing the suffix かける with 〜はじめる. While both relate to starting, かける emphasizes that the action is incomplete or was nearly about to happen, whereas 〜はじめる simply marks the beginning of an action that then continues. Another frequent error is forgetting to use the masu-stem when attaching suffix かける — learners sometimes try to attach it to the dictionary form (e.g., saying 読むかける instead of the correct 読みかける). Additionally, learners sometimes mix up the many standalone meanings of かける; for instance, using かぶる instead of かける for glasses, or using かける for hats (which should be かぶる). Context and the object particle を are essential clues for determining which meaning of かける is intended.
Related
〜はじめる〜だす〜ている〜ようとする〜ところだ〜かけの