仕掛ける|しかけるshikakeru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. ichidan verb, transitive verbto start; to begin; to commence
2. ichidan verb, transitive verbto challenge; to pick (a fight); to make (war); to draw (a reaction) from
3. ichidan verb, transitive verbto set (traps); to plant (explosives); to lay (mines)
   彼かれはその動物どうぶつをとらえるためにわなをしかけた。↗

   He set a trap to catch the animal.
4. ichidan verb, transitive verb, mahjongto make a meld call

• Synonym始めるはじめるNeutralThe most common everyday word for starting something; it lacks the headword's sense of picking a fight or setting a trap.
• Synonym着手ちゃくしゅWrittenA noun used mainly in written or formal prose for setting to work on something, as in 「工事に着手」.
• SynonymスタートNeutralLoanword for starting or setting off; it stresses the starting point, as in 「スタートを切る」.
• Synonym開始かいしWrittenA noun for the formal start of something, as in 「試合開始」; formal in tone.
• Synonym取り掛かるとりかかるNeutralTo get down to a task, as in 「仕事に取り掛かる」; it stresses putting yourself into the work.
• Synonymし始めるしはじめるNeutralEveryday word for beginning to do something; unlike 「仕掛ける」, it carries no sense of provoking or setting a trap.
• SynonymしだすNeutralMeans to begin doing something; it can also mean to cater, making and delivering food. Comparatively rare.
• SynonymやりだすCasualColloquial: to get started on something; common in speech, and without the trap-setting nuance of 「仕掛ける」.
• SynonymおっぱじめるCasualSlang for suddenly launching into something, with a coarse flavor, as in 「喧嘩をおっ始める」.
• Synonymやり始めるやりはじめるNeutralCommon in speech for starting to do something; it highlights the very start of the action.
• Related仕掛かるしかかるNeutralMeans to have just started something and be partway through it, as in 「仕掛かり品」.
• Antonym仕上げるしあげるNeutralAntonym: to finish or wrap up a job — the opposite of starting something with 「仕掛ける」.
• Antonym終えるおえるNeutralAntonym: to finish or bring something to an end, the opposite of setting out to do it.

Use 「仕掛ける」 for actively provoking, setting a trap, or starting something, as in 「罠を仕掛ける」 and 「喧嘩を仕掛ける」. For ordinary starting choose 「始める」, for getting down to a task 「取り掛かる」, and for a formal start 「開始」; to finish, use 「仕上げる」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. はじめる。開始かいしする。しはじめて途中とちゅうの段階だんかいにある。しようとする。しそうになる。
2. 装置そうち、計画けいかくなどを用意よういして、働はたらかせる。
3. (人ひとに) 挑発ちょうはつする。いどむ。
4. 取引とりひき市場しじょうで、時機じきを見みて新規しんきの売買ばいばい注文ちゅうもんを出だす。
5. 煮炊にたきするために火ひにかける。調理ちょうりの準備じゅんびをする。