When you 気にかける (ki ni kakeru) someone or something, it means you have a sense of concern or care for them. It's often used when you are thinking about someone's well-being or a situation that requires your attention. It implies a degree of emotional investment, showing that you are not indifferent to the person or matter at hand. This phrase is about having something on your mind in a caring or concerned way.
気にかける en 30 secondes
- show concern
- pay attention
- care for
§ What 気にかける means
The Japanese verb 気にかける (ki ni kakeru) is a really useful phrase to know. It means 'to care for,' 'to be concerned about,' or 'to pay attention to.' You'll hear this a lot in daily conversation, especially when people are talking about responsibilities, worries, or showing kindness.
- Japanese Word
- 気にかける (ki ni kakeru)
- Definition
- To care for; to be concerned about; to pay attention to.
- CEFR Level
- B1
§ Where you hear 気にかける
You'll encounter 気にかける in many situations, from formal settings like work and news reports to casual conversations at school or with friends. It's a versatile phrase that conveys a sense of thoughtfulness or responsibility.
§ At Work
In a work environment, 気にかける often refers to being mindful of your tasks, colleagues, or customers. It implies a proactive approach to your responsibilities.
お客様の要望を気にかけることが重要です。
It is important to pay attention to customer requests.
プロジェクトの進捗を常に気にかける必要があります。
You need to constantly be concerned about the project's progress.
§ At School
At school, this phrase often comes up when talking about teachers caring for students, or students looking out for their classmates.
先生はいつも生徒たちのことを気にかけています。
The teacher always cares for their students.
友人の体調を気にかけて、声をかけました。
I was concerned about my friend's health, so I spoke to them.
§ In the News and Public Announcements
When you hear news reports or public announcements, 気にかける can be used to describe authorities or organizations expressing concern for citizens, or focusing on specific issues.
政府は国民の健康を気にかけて、新たな政策を発表した。
The government was concerned about the health of the citizens and announced new policies.
地域の安全を気にかける必要があります。
We need to pay attention to local safety.
§ General Usage
Beyond specific environments, 気にかける is just part of everyday conversation. It's how people express care for family, friends, and even pets.
彼女はいつも家族のことを気にかけている。
She always cares for her family.
留守中のペットが気にかかる。
I am concerned about my pet while I'm away.
§ Common mistakes to avoid
- Don't confuse it with just 'to look at.' It's deeper, involving thought or emotion.
- Remember the particle に. It's crucial for the meaning.
- Practice using it in different contexts to get a feel for its nuances.
How Formal Is It?
"お客様のプライバシーに配慮いたします。"
"子供の将来を気にかける親が多い。"
"周りの目を気にしすぎない方がいいよ。"
"お花に水をあげてお世話しようね。"
"あいつのこと、もうかまってらんないよ。"
Grammaire à connaître
「〜を気にかける」 (object o ki ni kakeru) is used to express concern or care towards a specific person or thing. The particle 「を」 marks the object of concern.
彼女はいつも私の健康を気にかけてくれる。 (She always cares about my health.)
「〜が気にかかる」 (subject ga ki ni kakaru) is used to express that something is bothering you or causing you concern. The particle 「が」 marks the subject that is causing the concern.
彼の安否が気にかかる。 (I'm concerned about his safety.)
When using "気にかける" with a clause to express concern about a situation, it often takes the form 「〜かどうか気にかける」 (whether or not ~) or 「〜か気にかける」 (if ~).
彼が約束を守るかどうかが気にかかる。 (I'm concerned about whether or not he will keep his promise.)
「気にかける」 can be used in the negative form 「気にもかけない」 (ki ni mo kakenai) to express a complete lack of concern or indifference.
彼は人の意見など気にもかけない。 (He doesn't care at all about other people's opinions.)
「気にかける」 is often used in situations where you are thinking about someone's well-being or a potential problem.
遠く離れた家族のことが気にかかる。 (I'm concerned about my family who lives far away.)
Exemples par niveau
私は友達の健康を気にかける。
I care about my friend's health.
先生は生徒たちのことをいつも気にかけている。
The teacher is always concerned about the students.
彼女はいつも私のことを気にかけてくれる。
She always pays attention to me / cares about me.
新しい環境に慣れるまで、彼を気にかけてあげてください。
Please look after him until he gets used to the new environment.
両親は子供たちの将来を気にかける。
Parents are concerned about their children's future.
私たちは地球の環境を気にかけるべきだ。
We should be concerned about the Earth's environment.
彼は困っている人を気にかける優しい人だ。
He is a kind person who cares for people in trouble.
犬は飼い主がどこにいるかいつも気にかけている。
The dog is always concerned about where its owner is.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Imagine a 'key' (気 - ki) that 'naturally' (に - ni) 'catches' (かける - kakeru) your attention. So, 'ki ni kakeru' means something that catches your attention because you care about it.
Association visuelle
Picture a person gently tending to a plant, watering it and checking its leaves. The act of 'caring for' the plant is 'ki ni kakeru'. Alternatively, visualize someone constantly looking at their phone, 'paying attention' to messages because they are 'concerned about' something.
Word Web
Défi
Think about something or someone you 'care for' or 'are concerned about' right now. Formulate a sentence in Japanese using '気にかける' to express this. For example: '家族の健康が気にかかっています。' (Kazoku no kenkō ga ki ni kakatte imasu.) - 'I am concerned about my family's health.'
Teste-toi 6 questions
彼女はいつも私の健康を気にかけます。
「気にかける」は心配したり、注意を払ったりするという意味です。
試験が近づいているので、結果が気にかかる。
この文脈では、「気にかかる」は試験の結果について心配している状態を表します。
彼はいつも困っている人を気にかけている。
「気にかける」は、困っている人に対して注意を払い、助けようとすることを意味します。
「気にかける」は、ポジティブな感情だけでなく、心配や不安な感情を表すこともあります。
「気にかける」は、他者を思いやる気持ちの他に、心配や懸念といった感情も表現します。
「気にかける」は、物事に全く関心がないことを表す表現である。
「気にかける」は、物事に注意を払ったり、関心を持つことを表す言葉です。
子供たちの将来を気にかけるのは親として当然だ。
この文は、親が子供たちの将来について心配したり、思いやったりすることは当然であるということを示しています。
/ 6 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
気にかける means to care for or be concerned about something or someone, showing active attention.
- show concern
- pay attention
- care for
Exemple
彼はいつも困っている人を気にかける。
Contenu associé
Plus de mots sur emotions
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
