(はな)しかける

はなしかける
verb (ichidan)
to speak to, to address
1. to speak to, to address, to start a conversation with
To initiate speech with someone; to address or talk to someone (often unexpectedly or as the first interaction).
見知(みし)らぬ(ひと)(はな)しかけられた。
A stranger spoke to me.
Passive form
彼女(かのじょ)(はな)しかける勇気(ゆうき)がなかった。
I didn't have the courage to speak to her.
(あか)ちゃんにやさしく(はな)しかけた。
I spoke gently to the baby.
(みち)(まよ)ったので、(ちか)くにいた(ひと)(はな)しかけた。
I was lost, so I spoke to someone nearby.
(いそが)しそうだったので、(はな)しかけるのをやめた。
They looked busy, so I decided not to speak to them.

TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive).

COMPOUND VERB: (はな)す (to speak) + かける (to initiate action toward)

CONJUGATION (ichidan): (はな)しかける → (はな)しかけない → (はな)しかけた → (はな)しかけて

PATTERN: 〜に(はな)しかける (speak to ~)

NUANCE: Emphasizes the act of initiating conversation, rather than simply talking. Often implies the other person wasn't expecting to be addressed.

The 〜かける pattern indicates the beginning of an action directed toward someone/something.

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