扌 hand
土 soil
卜 divination stick
Main Meaning: hang
kun: か・ける；か・かる
on: カイ；ケイ
Use your hand 扌 with two gobs of sticky soil 土 to hang a stick 卜 on the wall
ABOUT かける・かかる
掛 is usually the kanji behind the power word: かける (transitive) or かかる (intransitive). This word can have many, many meanings depending on the context. It can mean to hang, to put on, to spend, to pour, to turn on, and more. Some of the usages are idiomatic (腰を掛ける koshi o kakeru - to take a seat) and may need to be memorized, but you can usually get a sense of "hanging" or "securing" something to something.
That being said, while this kanji is important, it actually isn't used very often. Most of the time かける is written in kana alone. It is important to learn as it does pop up here and there.
A note on "transitive" (他動詞) and "intransitive" (自動詞) verbs.
他動詞 Transitive
| 自動詞 Intransitive
|
|---|---|
かける (someone) hangs (something) | かかる (the state of) hanging |
壁に絵をかけます。 kabe ni e o kakemasu. (I) will put a picture on the wall. | 壁に絵がかかっています。 kabe ni e ga kakatte imasu. A picture is hanging on the wall. |
Let's look at a few examples illustrating different meanings of 掛ける or 掛かる (again, usually written in kana only).
To hang (a coat; a picture to the wall)
この写真を壁に掛けてください。
kono shashin o kabe ni kakete kudasai.
Please hang this photo on the wall.
To wear (glasses; necklaces; etc)
普段は、眼鏡をかけています。
fudan wa, megane o kakete imasu.
Usually, I wear glasses.
To make a call
青木さんに電話をかけます。
aoki san ni denwa o kakemasu.
I will call Mr (or Ms.) Aoki.
To spend (money or time)
この仕事はかなり時間がかかりました。
kono shigoto wa kanari jikan ga kakarimashita.
This work took quite a bit of time.
To pour (liquid); to sprinkle (powder or spices)
少し塩をかけたら、おいしいですよ。
sukoshi shio o kaketara, oishii desu yo.
If you add a touch of salt, it is delicious.
To start (an engine); to set (a dial)
車のエンジンをかけたとたん、爆発した！
kuruma no enjin o kaketa totan, bakuhatsu shita!
The moment I started the engine, it blew up!
To cause trouble for someone (idiomatic)
ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳ありません。
go meiwaku o okakeshite moushi wake arimasen.
I'm terribly sorry for causing such trouble.
To multiply (math)
１かける１は１だ。
ichi kakeru ichi wa ichi da.
One times one is one
To lock
鍵をかけるのを忘れてしまった。
kagi o kakeru no o wasurete shimatta.
I totally forgot to lock the door.
To take a seat
どうぞ、腰をかけてください。
douzo, koshi o kakete kudasai.
Please have a seat.
