掛け
Half-, Not yet finished, About to, Begin to
Structure
Verb［stem］+ かける
Verb［stem］+ かけの + Noun
Explanation
The suffix かけ is a type of 造語 (coined word) that functions similarly to 向け. It originates from the verb 掛ける, meaning 'to hang' or 'to suspend'. When attached to the stem form of a verb, it signifies that an action is incomplete or still in progress. Common English translations include 'half-', 'partially-', or 'on the verge of -ing'.
Functioning as a noun, かけ can be joined to other nouns using the particle の. When it concludes a phrase or sentence, it is often followed by だ.
- この食べかけのパンは誰のですか？Whose half-eaten bread is this?
- 机の上に飲みかけのジュースが置いてある。There's a half-drunk juice on the desk.
- 道で死にかけの猫を見つけた。I found a cat on the street that was on the verge of death.
- 父は壊れかけの時計を修理するのが好きだ。My father enjoys fixing partially-broken clocks.
In some cases, the verb 掛ける itself is used in its conjugated form rather than the shortened noun form, かけ.
- 危ない、車にひかれかけるところだった。That was close, I almost got hit by a car.
- 読みかけた本を棚に戻した。I put the book I was halfway through reading back on the shelf.
Fun Fact
The origin of this grammar from 掛ける ('to hang') provides a useful image: an action is 'suspended' midway. It's like freezing a moment in time before an action is complete. The precise interpretation—whether 'partially done' or 'about to happen'—is determined by the verb it modifies.
When used with verbs describing instantaneous events (actions that happen all at once), かけ conveys that something was 'on the verge of' or 'about to' occur.
- 病気で死にかけそうになったことがある。I once came to the brink of death from an illness.
- 重い箱を置いたら、壊れかけていた棚がとうとう壊れた。When I put a heavy box on the shelf that was about to break, it finally broke.
In contrast, when attached to verbs that represent a continuing action or process, かけ indicates that the action is simply 'in the middle of' being done.
- 宿題が終わりかけだから、もう少しだけ待ってくれる？I'm almost done with my homework, so could you wait just a bit longer?
Examples
作り掛けのプラモデルが机の上に置いてある。
There's a half-built plastic model on the desk.
彼女は何か言い掛けて、やめてしまった。
She started to say something, but then stopped.
溶け掛けのアイスクリームを急いで食べた。
I quickly ate the half-melted ice cream.
消え掛けのろうそくの火が風で揺れている。
The flame of the flickering candle is swaying in the wind.
濡れた床で転び掛けたが、なんとか堪えた。
I almost fell on the wet floor, but somehow managed to keep my balance.
このリンゴは腐り掛けだから、食べない方がいいよ。
This apple is starting to rot, so you probably shouldn't eat it.
子供の頃、川で溺れ掛けたことがある。
When I was a child, I nearly drowned in a river.
ソファの上に編み掛けのマフラーが置いてある。
There's a half-knitted scarf on the sofa.
閉まり掛けたエレベーターのドアに駆け込んだ。
I rushed into the elevator just as the doors were about to close.
古い本棚が倒れ掛けていたので、壁に寄せた。
The old bookshelf was about to fall over, so I pushed it against the wall.
眠り掛けていたときに、電話が鳴った。
The phone rang just as I was drifting off to sleep.
スマートフォンのバッテリーが切れ掛けだ。
My smartphone's battery is about to die.