に掛けて
Over (a period), From ~ until, Through
Structure
Explanation
Derived from the る-Verb 掛ける, meaning 'to hang' or 'to cover', にかけて expresses that an action or state occurs 'across a span of time or space', 'from (A) to (B)', or 'throughout (A)'. This grammar point is formed by the case marking particle に followed by the て-form of 掛ける. The literal sense can be broken down like this:
に - Pinpoints (A) as a starting point or area.
掛けて - Indicates that something is 'covering' or 'stretching across' that range.
The ongoing action or state is described by the latter part of the sentence, (B). This pattern is most often used with nouns that represent time or location.
- 秋から冬にかけて、この山はとても美しくなります。From autumn through winter, this mountain becomes very beautiful.
- 関東地方から東北地方にかけて、強い地震がありました。A strong earthquake was felt all the way from the Kanto region to the Tohoku region.
You will most often encounter にかけて in writing or formal contexts like the news, where it is frequently used to describe weather phenomena that are predicted to extend over a certain period or geographical area.
Caution
When the adverbial particle は follows にかけて, it subtly alters the nuance. Instead of simply stating a range, にかけては highlights that range as a topic, often to create a contrast. In sentences using this form, the (B) clause will typically present information that contrasts with a different time or situation, rather than just describing what happens within the (A) range.
- 昨日は寒かったが、今日から明日にかけては暖かくなるそうだ。It was cold yesterday, but it's supposed to get warmer starting today and into tomorrow.
- 昼間は静かだが、夕方から夜にかけては、この道は車が多くなる。It's quiet during the daytime, but from the evening through the night, this street gets busy with cars.
As these sentences demonstrate, this usage is a natural extension of は's primary function as a topic marker. By marking the range (A) with は, the speaker sets it up as the topic and then makes a contrasting or specific comment (B) about it.
Examples
明日から明後日に掛けて、強い風が吹くでしょう。
Strong winds are expected to blow from tomorrow through the day after tomorrow. (until)
ゴールデンウィークに掛けて、たくさんのイベントが開催される。
Many events will be held over Golden Week. (during)
夏の終わりに掛けて、少しずつ涼しくなってきた。
It's gradually gotten cooler towards the end of summer. (over the period of)
北海道から沖縄に掛けて、長い旅をしたい。
I want to take a long trip from Hokkaido all the way to Okinawa. (throughout)
子供の頃から大人に掛けて、ずっとこの町に住んでいます。
I have lived in this town all the way from my childhood into my adult years. (through)
この一週間に掛けて、レポートを書き上げなければならない。
I have to finish writing this report over the course of this week. (through)
午後から夕方に掛けて一時的に雨が降るそうです。
I hear it's supposed to rain for a bit from the afternoon into the evening. (until)
この道路は、A地点からB地点に掛けて工事中です。
This road is under construction from point A to point B. (throughout)
江戸時代から明治時代に掛けての文化に興味があります。
I'm interested in the culture spanning from the Edo period to the Meiji period. (over the period of ~)
来月に掛けて、家の大掃除をするつもりです。
I'm planning to do a big clean of my house over the course of next month. (throughout)
胸からお腹に掛けて、変な湿疹ができた。
A strange rash appeared from my chest down to my stomach. (over the area of)
今週の金曜日から日曜日に掛けて、デパートでバーゲンがある。
The department store is having a bargain sale from this Friday through Sunday. (over a period of~)