かませる

Meanings

ichidan verb, transitive verb

force to bite; force into mouth

usually written using kana alone

Used when making someone or something clamp down with their teeth, or forcing an object into the mouth (e.g., a gag, a bit). Often implies a degree of coercion.

犬いぬにかませるために骨ほねを差さし出だした。
I held out a bone for the dog to bite on.
犯はん人にんは

人ひと

質じち

に

猿さる

ぐつわ

を

かま

せ

た

。

The criminal forced a gag into the hostage's mouth.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

wedge into a space

usually written using kana alone

Describes inserting something tightly into a gap or narrow space, often to secure it or prevent movement.

ドアが閉しまらないように、くさびをかませた。
I wedged a doorstop in so the door wouldn't close.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

inflict a blow; deal a hit

usually written using kana alone

Used in fighting or competitive contexts for landing a punch, kick, or strike. Often appears as 一発かませる or similar.

彼かれは相あい手てに強きょう烈れつなパンチをかませた。
He landed a powerful punch on his opponent.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

pull a joke; say something stupid; try a bluff

usually written using kana alone

Colloquial use for deliberately saying or doing something silly, outrageous, or provocative, often to get a reaction. Common in comedy or casual banter.

またお前まえ、変へんなギャグをかませたな。
You pulled another weird joke, huh.
会かい議ぎでとんでもない発はつ言げんをかませてしまった。
I ended up saying something outrageous at the meeting.

Written forms

噛かませる
Rare kanji spelling; the kana form is strongly preferred in modern usage.
嚼かませる
Rare kanji spelling; the kana form is strongly preferred in modern usage.
咬かませる
Rare kanji spelling; the kana form is strongly preferred in modern usage.

Kanji

噛chew, bite, gnaw
嚼bite
咬bite, gnaw, chew

Similar words

かます
かます is the base transitive verb meaning 'to force something into a gap or mouth' or 'to deal a blow'; かませる is its potential form used as a separate lexical item with a similar range of meanings, often implying making someone/something do the action.

Etymology

Derived from the verb かます (to wedge in, to force into a gap or mouth). The form かませる is the potential form of かます, but it has become lexicalized as a separate verb with overlapping meanings.