Japanese grammar
What does ～にかまけて mean? Japanese grammar N1
～にかまけて means so preoccupied with… that one neglects….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + にかまけて |
| Romaji | nikamakete |
| Meaning | so preoccupied with… that one neglects… |
Forming it
| Noun (hobby) | 遊び + にかまけて |
|---|---|
| Noun (busyness) | 仕事 + にかまけて |
How to use it
Being so absorbed/preoccupied with A that one neglects B. A critical, regretful nuance.
- 「～にかまけて」 = “so absorbed/caught up in A that one neglects B”. Emphasizes neglecting what one should have done.
- A is usually 仕事・遊び・忙しさ; the latter clause is what gets neglected.
- A critical/regretful nuance.
Examples
仕事にかまけて、家庭を顧みなかった。
Preoccupied with work, he neglected his family.
遊びにかまけて、勉強を怠けた。
Absorbed in play, he neglected his studies.
Keep in mind
- Attaches to a noun.
- The clause that follows states what gets neglected.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong仕事にかまけて、成功した。
Absorbed in work, he succeeded.
Correct仕事にかまけて、家族を放っておいた。
The clause after 「にかまけて」 must be something NEGLECTED because of A, carrying a critical nuance.
-
Wrong忙しいにかまけて、連絡を怠った。
Absorbed in being busy, I neglected to get in touch.
Correct忙しさにかまけて、連絡を怠った。
Attaches to a noun; an adjective must be nominalized (忙しさ).
Exam tips
- 「にかまけて」 = absorbed in A while neglecting B (critical).