Grammar Info
N2 Lesson 4: 11/18

掛(が)けに
on the way to, as you go

Kanji is rarely used

Structure
Verb[ます+ がけに
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
Although not used much in modern Japanese, the suffix 掛(が)け 'support', or 'hanger' followed by に may occasionally appear after the ます-stem of verbs. When seen used this way, 掛(が)けに simply means 'on the way', 'as you go', or 'while doing (A)'. (B) may just be considered as something done while doing (A), or as being done specifically because (A) is a good opportunity to do it.
This structure may be used either with or without kanji, so it will be important to remember both.
  • 帰(かえ)りがけに駅前(えきまえ)のたこ焼(や)き屋(や)でたこ焼(や)きを買(か)った。
    On my way home, I bought some takoyaki from the takoyaki store in front of the station.
  • 今日(きょう)は学校(がっこう)への行(い)きがけにコンビニで弁当(べんとう)を買(か)う。
    Today, on my way to school, I will buy lunch at the convenience store.
  • お父(とう)さん、通(とお)りがけにサービスエリアにでも寄(よ)って行(い)こ!
    Dad, let's stop by the service area on the way!
Fun-fact - 掛(か)ける is one of the more difficult verbs in Japanese, as it does not have an exact counterpart in English. However, in most cases it just means to lay, extend, or place something across either a physical or metaphorical surface or span. In this way, it may help to remember (A) as the span from which (B) will occur.
Slow Male
Hide All
Hide Japanese
Hide English
友達(ともだち)との話(はなし)、A:「彼女(かのじょ)病気(びょうき)になった。」
B:「そうなら帰(かえ)りがけに訪問(ほうもん)したほうがいい彼女(かのじょ)も喜(よろこ)ぶだろう。」
Chat between friends, A: "My girlfriend got sick."
B: "If so, then you should visit her on your way home. She will be happy."
Play  
先生(せんせい)生徒(せいと)と話(はな)している:「タカスさんこのプリントを帰(かえ)り掛(が)けにアイサカさんに持(も)って行(い)ってください。」
A teacher is talking with a student: "Takasu, please bring this handout to Aisaka on the way home."
Play  
病気(びょうき)友達(ともだち)の見舞(みま)いに行(い)く時(とき)友達(ともだち)との話(はなし):「病院(びょういん)への行(い)きがけに花屋(はなや)に寄(よ)って花束(はなたば)を買(か)おう。」
Visiting a sick friend, chat between friends: "Let's drop by the florist on the way to the hospital, and buy a bouquet."
Play  
Online

No online resources

Books
Tobira
Page 308