Japanese

をかける

こえをかける
Meaning: to call out to; to speak to; to invite
Part of Speech: Verb

Listen to pronunciation

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 声をかける 声をかけない
Polite 声をかけます 声をかけません
Past 声をかけた 声をかけなかった
Polite + Past 声をかけました 声をかけませんでした
Te-form 声をかけて 声をかけなくて
Potential 声をかけられる 声をかけられない
Passive 声をかけられる 声をかけられない
Causative 声をかけさせる 声をかけさせない
Imperative 声をかけろ 声をかけるな

Handwriting

声
を
か
け
る

Example sentences

I mustered up my courage and spoke to a foreigner who was lost.
「坊や、一人でどこへ行くの?」と近所のおばさんが声をかけた。
「Boy, where are you going all by yourself?」 a neighbor lady called out.

Usage Notes

Used when initiating conversation or calling out to someone. It can range from a simple greeting to an invitation or offering help.

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