Kanji Homophone Battle
Pronunciation Trap: "かかる (kakaru)"
Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.
Kanji Option A
かかる
かかる (kakaru)
N5 / CEFR
VS
Kanji Option B
掛かる
かかる (kakaru)
N3 / CEFR
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "かかる (kakaru)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.
- かかる (Level: N5): Translates to "to take (time/money), to hang (intransitive), to catch (a cold)" and is used when Intransitive verb. For N5, most commonly used to express how much time or money is required for something. e.g., 時間がかかる.
- 掛かる (Level: N3): Maps to "to take (time, money), to be hung, to be covered, to start (an engine)" and carries the nuance of 時間や費用が必要であること、何かに接触してぶら下がっていること、機械が作動を開始することなど、多くの意味がある。Has many meanings, such as requiring time or money, being hung/suspended, or a machine starting operation..
Bilingual Context for "かかる"
東京まで３時間かかります。
It takes 3 hours to get to Tokyo.
Bilingual Context for "掛かる"
学校まで歩いて30分掛かる。
It takes 30 minutes to walk to school.
Kanji Selection Quiz
Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?
Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "東京まで３時間かかります。" (Meaning: "It takes 3 hours to get to Tokyo.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Correct! "かかる" is used for "to take (time/money), to hang (intransitive), to catch (a cold)" in the context: "It takes 3 hours to get to Tokyo.".