駆ける・駈ける|かけるkakeru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
駆ける駆ける（かける） is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginning learners. Use it when writing this word.
駈ける駈ける（かける） is a less common written variant of 駆ける（かける）. Beginning learners should choose 駆ける（かける） instead.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto run; to dash; to race
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto gallop (on horseback); to canter
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto advance (against one's enemy); to charge (on horseback)
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 駆ける（かける） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 駆けます（かけます） |
| Negative (nai) | 駆けない（かけない） |
| polite (masen) | 駆けません（かけません） |
| classical zu / nu | 駆けず・駆けぬ（かけず・かけぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 駆けた（かけた） |
| polite (mashita) | 駆けました（かけました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 駆けなかった（かけなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 駆けませんでした（かけませんでした） |
| Te form | 駆けて（かけて） |
| Potential | 駆けられる（かけられる） |
| Passive | 駆けられる（かけられる） |
| Causative | 駆けさせる（かけさせる） |
| Causative passive | 駆けさせられる（かけさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 駆ければ（かければ） |
| tara | 駆けたら（かけたら） |
| Volitional | 駆けよう（かけよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 駆けましょう（かけましょう） |
| Imperative | 駆けろ（かけろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym走るはしるNeutralThe everyday word for running; also used for vehicles, as in 「駅まで走る」「車が走る」. Much more common than 駆ける, which is more literary and suggests dashing momentum.
- Related駆け足かけあしNeutralA noun for a fast pace or trot, as in 「駆け足で行く」; also figuratively for doing things in a hurry. 駆ける is the verb for the actual running or galloping.
- Antonym歩くあるくNeutralTo walk — moving on foot at a walking pace, the direct opposite of the running or galloping 駆ける.
- Antonymゆっくり進むNeutralTo move forward slowly, the opposite of the swift dashing of 駆ける.
Use 「駆ける」 for fast running or galloping, often with a literary feel, as in 「草原を駆ける」. For everyday running say 「走る」; for a quick pace or a rushed job, 「駆け足」. The opposites are 「歩く」 and 「ゆっくり進む」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
