To hang something (e.g. a coat or a picture) on a wall, hook, etc.; to suspend or hoist.
コートは玄関のフックに掛けてください。
Please hang your coat on the hook in the entrance.
壁に新しい絵を掛けた。
I hung a new picture on the wall.
風で旗が高く掛けられた。
The flag was hoisted high by the wind.
To put a cover or layer on something (e.g. a blanket); to cover or spread over.
赤ちゃんに毛布を掛けてあげた。
I put a blanket over the baby.
テーブルにクロスを掛ける。
To put a tablecloth on the table.
To put on or wear accessories such as glasses or a necklace.
彼は眼鏡を掛けて本を読んでいる。
He is wearing glasses and reading a book.
母はいつも祖母の形見のネックレスを掛けている。
My mother always wears my grandmother's keepsake necklace.
To make a call (phone); to place a telephone call.
彼女に今すぐ電話を掛けてみるよ。
I'll try calling her right now.
国際電話を掛けるには番号の前に国番号を付けます。
To make an international call you add the country code before the number.
To spend or expend time, money, effort, etc.; to devote resources to something.
このプロジェクトには多くの時間を掛けた。
I spent a lot of time on this project.
成功するためにお金を掛ける価値はあるか？
Is it worth spending money to succeed?
彼は料理に手間を掛けるタイプだ。
He's the kind of person who takes time and trouble over cooking.
To pour, sprinkle, or splash a liquid or powder onto something; to season by sprinkling.
サラダにオリーブオイルを掛けて食べる。
Eat the salad with olive oil drizzled over it.
焼き魚に醤油を少し掛けると美味しい。
A little soy sauce on grilled fish makes it tasty.
To turn on or operate a device (engine, radio), set a dial or alarm, or play media; to use equipment.
エンジンに火を掛けてから出発した。
We started the engine and then left.
CDを掛けてあの曲を一緒に聴こう。
Put on the CD and let's listen to that song together.
目覚まし時計を掛けておいたので時間通りに起きられた。
I set the alarm clock, so I woke up on time.
To cause someone inconvenience or trouble; to impose a burden on someone.
ご迷惑を掛けて申し訳ありませんでした。
I'm sorry for causing you trouble.
引越しの手伝いをお願いして人に掛けるのは心苦しい。
It's hard to ask people for help with moving because it burdens them.
In mathematics, to multiply (one number by another).
三に四を掛けると十二になる。
Three multiplied by four equals twelve.
To lock or secure something (e.g. with a key); to put a lock on.
出かける前に必ずドアに鍵を掛けてください。
Please be sure to lock the door before you go out.
自転車にチェーンを掛けて盗難を防いだ。
I put a chain on the bicycle to prevent theft.
To take a seat; to sit down; to rest something on another surface for support.
ベンチに腰を掛けて休もう。
Let's sit on the bench and rest.
荷物を机の上に掛けておいてください。
Please rest/place your luggage on the desk.
To bind or tie something together; to connect or fasten.
荷物をロープで掛けて固定した。
I tied the luggage with a rope to secure it.
To wager or bet; to stake money or something on an outcome; to take a gamble.
試合に百ドルを掛けた。
I bet $100 on the game.
彼は全財産を株に掛けた。
He staked his entire fortune on the stocks.
To apply an effect such as a spell or anesthetic to someone or something.
医者は手術の前に麻酔を掛けた。
The doctor administered anesthesia before the surgery.
To hold or stage an event, play, festival, etc.; to organize or put on a performance.
市は毎年夏祭りを掛けている。
The city holds a summer festival every year.
To hold or harbor an emotion (such as pity or hope) towards someone or something.
彼女は彼に期待を掛けている。
She has expectations for him.
親は子供に大きな期待を掛けてはいけない。
Parents shouldn't place huge expectations on their children.
To bring something before a court or meeting; to argue or deliberate in court/assembly; to present for consideration.
その問題は裁判に掛けられることになった。
The matter was to be brought before the court.
To increase something further; to raise or multiply an amount or level.
価格にさらに税金を掛けると高くなる。
Adding more tax to the price makes it higher.
To catch or trap something in a snare or trap; to ensnare.
猟師は罠を掛けて獲物を待った。
The hunter set a trap and waited for prey.
To set something on top of another surface; to place atop.
箱をテーブルの上に掛けておくと邪魔になる。
If you put the box on the table it gets in the way.
To erect or set up a makeshift or temporary structure.
野外でテントを掛けて一夜を過ごした。
We set up a tent outdoors and spent the night.
To apply insurance to something; to take out an insurance policy.
車に十分な保険を掛けておいたほうがいい。
You should have adequate insurance on your car.
To make a pun or play on words; to use a word as a pivot with multiple meanings.
俳句で掛詞を掛けて味わいを出すことがある。
Sometimes haiku use puns to add nuance.
A suffix attached after the -masu stem of a verb indicating an action is just beginning or is partially done (be in the process of ...).
彼は話し掛けようとしたがやめた。
He was about to speak to (someone) but stopped.
病気は治り掛けだ。油断は禁物だ。
The illness is just starting to get better; don't let your guard down.
A suffix added after the -masu stem to indicate an action directed at someone (e.g. 話し掛ける: to address/speak to someone).
子供に優しく話し掛けてあげてください。
Please speak gently to the child.
質問がある人は手を挙げて先生に聞き掛けてください。
If you have a question, raise your hand and address the teacher.