Translation and Meaning of: 通りかかる - toorikakaru

If you are studying Japanese or have an interest in the language, you may have come across the word 通りかかる (とおりかかる). It appears in everyday conversations, in anime, and even in song lyrics, but its meaning is not always obvious for beginners. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, how it is used in Japanese daily life, and some tips for memorizing it effectively.

Besides understanding the literal translation of 通りかかる, it's important to know the context in which it is used. Does it have any special usage in Japanese culture? How do natives perceive it? And how can we avoid confusing it with other similar words? Let's answer these questions and more, always based on reliable sources and real examples.

Meaning and use of 通りかかる

The word 通りかかる is a Japanese verb that means "to by chance" or "to be ing through a place." It is composed of 通り (とおり), which indicates "age" or "way," and かかる, an auxiliary verb that suggests an incidental action. Together, these elements convey the idea of someone who is traversing a location without necessarily having planned to be there.

A common example of use is when you are walking down the street and see a distant friend. If he asks you, "What are you doing here?", you can respond with 通りかかっただけ (とおりかかっただけ), which means "I was just ing by". This type of situation demonstrates how the term is related to casual and unintentional events.

Origin and structure of the word

The etymology of 通りかかる refers to the verb 通る (とおる), which means "to by" or "to cross." The addition of かかる transforms the meaning into something more spontaneous, almost as if the action happens by accident. This construction is common in Japanese, where particles and auxiliaries modify the original meaning of verbs.

It is worth noting that 通りかかる is written in hiragana most of the time, but it can also appear with the kanji 通り掛かる. However, this form is less common in everyday life, especially in informal texts or quick conversations. The hiragana version is more accessible for students and even for natives in casual situations.

Tips for memorizing 通りかかる

An efficient strategy to this word is to associate it with everyday situations. Think about how many times you have ed by a place unintentionally or encountered someone unexpectedly. These moments are perfect for recalling the use of 通りかかる, as it precisely describes this type of experience.

Another tip is to practice with short and contextualized sentences. For example: 駅の前を通りかかったとき、友達に会った (えきのまえをとおりかかったとき、ともだちにあった) – "When I was ing in front of the station, I met a friend." Repeating structures like this helps to internalize the verb naturally.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 通りかかる

• 通りかかる - basic form
• 通りかかります - polite form
• 通りかかっています - Present progressive tense
• 通りかかった - past form
• 通りかかりました Polite past form

Synonyms and similar words

• 通り過ぎる (toorisugiru) - by (a place) and continue without stopping.
• 通りかかる (toorikakaru) - by and have the opportunity to stop or observe.
• 通りすがる (toorisugaru) - To by a place without the intention of stopping, usually quickly.
• 通り過ぎ去る (toorisugisaru) - A variation of "to by," implying a sense of quickly moving away.
• 通り過ごす (toorisugosu) - Failing to notice or stopping while ing by a place that should have been visited.