# かける: half-; not yet finished; in the middle of ~ > Learn how to use かける, a JLPT N3 Japanese grammar point meaning half-; not yet finished; in the middle of, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N3 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n3-kakeru/ **かける** means **half-; not yet finished; in the middle of ~**. It is a **JLPT N3** grammar pattern used to **describe an action or state that is interrupted, unfinished, or halfway done**. This grammar point often appears in **neutral** Japanese. If you want to **describe interrupted, unfinished, or partial actions**, **かける** is a useful pattern to learn. ## What does かける mean? Use **かける** when you want to **describe an action or state that is interrupted, unfinished, or halfway done**. Natural translations include: - half-; not yet finished; in the middle of ~ - half-; not yet finished; in the middle of ~ - half-; not yet finished; in the middle of The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer's or speaker's purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context. ## How to form かける Verb stem + かける / Noun + かける Examples of the pattern: - 食べかける - 話しかける - 忘れかける The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word. ## When is かける used? Use **かける** in situations like: - describing interrupted actions - half-finished meals - incomplete tasks Tone and register: - neutral - Common in describing interrupted actions, test questions, and written narratives ## かける example sentences - 食べかけのケーキを放置した。 — I left a half-eaten cake. - 彼に話しかけたが、無視された。 — I started speaking to him, but he ignored me. - 忘れかけていたことが思い出された。 — Something I had almost forgotten came back to me. - 書きかけの手紙がある。 — There's a letter I started writing but haven't finished. - 眠りかけた時に電話が鳴った。 — The phone rang when I was about to fall asleep. After reading each sentence, ask what job **かける** is doing: describing an action or state that is interrupted, unfinished, or halfway done. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation. ## Nuance of かける The key nuance is **always means something is partial or interrupted; never describes completion**. This matters because **〜かける captures in-between states. It is useful for describing things that were started but not finished, or actions that almost happened.** For example: - In describing interrupted actions, it sounds natural and specific. - Compared with **途中**, it carries a different weight and implication. ## かける vs 途中 Both **かける** and **途中** can express **half-**, but they are different. **かける**: - half-; attached to verbs to show interruption or partial completion **途中**: - means in the middle of; place or time, not attached to verbs Quick contrast examples: - 食事の途中に電話が来た。 — A call came in the middle of the meal. - 食べかけた。 — I left it half-eaten. If both translations seem possible, check the tone and structure. Is the grammar attached directly to a verb stem, or is it marking a point in time or space? That distinction often tells you which pattern is natural. ## Common mistakes with かける Watch out for these mistakes: - Using it for completed actions (use 〜た form instead) - Confusing it with 〜始める (starting) which implies a new beginning - Attaching it to nouns that don't describe actions A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **かける**, then rewrite it with **途中**. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words. ## Is かける on the JLPT? Yes. **かける** is commonly taught as **JLPT N3** grammar. That means learners should be able to: - recognize it in reading - understand its nuance in context - use it in simple original sentences For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning. ## Practice questions for かける Try making your own sentences with these prompts: - Say there's a half-eaten sandwich on the table. - Describe almost forgetting someone's name. - Say you started writing an email but didn't finish. Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear. ## Learning path for かける To learn **かける** efficiently, review the formation first, then compare it with the closest existing grammar point before writing your own sentence. 1. First, make sure you can form **かける** without looking at the pattern chart. 2. Next, compare it with **途中**. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance. 3. Finally, write sentences where **かける** is necessary; then check whether replacing it with **途中** changes the meaning. ## Related grammar to review next - [上げる（あげる）・上がる（あがる）](/blog/n3-ageru/) — because it is another compound or result-focused pattern for actions. - [切る（きる）](/blog/n3-kiru/) — because it is another compound or result-focused pattern for actions. - [切れない（きれない）](/blog/n3-kirenai/) — because it is another compound or result-focused pattern for actions. - [直す（なおす）](/blog/n3-naosu/) — because it is another compound or result-focused pattern for actions. ## Learn かける with Hane If you want to review **かける** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N3 grammar lessons](/blog/n3/)