かまける
かまける
verb (ichidan)
to be preoccupied with, to be absorbed in
1.
to be preoccupied with, to be absorbed in
To be so focused on one thing that other responsibilities or tasks are neglected. Almost always used with に to mark what one is preoccupied with, and carries a negative nuance of neglecting something else.
仕事にかまけている。
I'm caught up in work.
忙しさにかまけて、連絡を忘れた。
I was so busy that I forgot to get in touch.
日々の生活にかまけて、夢を追うことを忘れていた。
I was so caught up in daily life that I had forgotten to pursue my dreams.
CONJUGATION (ichidan):
- Negative: かまけない
- Te-form: かまけて
- Past: かまけた
PATTERN:
Almost always used as ～にかまけて (preoccupied with ~). The に particle marks the thing one is absorbed in.
NUANCE:
Carries a negative connotation — being so focused on one thing that something else (often more important) is neglected. Not used to describe positive concentration.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 仕事にかまける: to be preoccupied with work
- 忙しさにかまける: to be caught up in busyness
- 日常にかまける: to be absorbed in daily routine
- 遊びにかまける: to be caught up in having fun