かける

The suffix かける attaches to a verb's masu-stem to express that an action is half-done, left incomplete, or on the verge of happening. It conveys the idea that something has started but hasn't been finished, or that something almost happened.

Structure

V[stem] + かける / かけの + Noun / かけだ

かける itself conjugates as a る-verb (e.g. かけた, かけている, かけて).

Incomplete or half-finished action

This is the most common usage. It describes something that was started but not completed – a "half-done" state.

When used with の, the かけの form works as a noun modifier meaning "half-～" or "unfinished."

On the verge of / almost happened

かける can also express that something nearly happened or was about to happen, often with an implication that it was narrowly avoided or barely occurred.

This usage is particularly common with verbs describing undesirable outcomes like しぬ死ぬ (to die), たおれる倒れる (to collapse), and おちる落ちる (to fall).

Important notes

• かける emphasizes that the action is not yet complete. Compare with 〜～はじめる始める (to begin doing) which focuses on the starting point, and 〜～おわる終わる (to finish doing) which marks completion.
• The form かけだ is used as a predicate:
  このしごと仕事はまだやりかけだ。

  This work is still half-done.
• In casual speech, かけ alone can function as a noun:
  たべかけ食べかけでごめん。

  Sorry it's half-eaten.