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ハッパをかける (はっぱをかける) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

ハッパをかける

は

っ

ぱ

を

か

け

る

Meanings

1

expression, ichidan verb

set off an explosive; blast

usually written using kana alone

Literal meaning: to detonate an explosive charge, especially in mining or construction. This is the original, technical sense.

工こう事じ現げん場ばでハッパをかける作さ業ぎょうは、資し格かくを持もった人ひとだけが行おこなえる。
Only qualified personnel can carry out blasting work at the construction site.

2

expression, ichidan verb

give a pep talk; fire up; motivate with strong words

usually written using kana alone

Figurative use: to strongly encourage or push someone, often with rough or forceful language. Common in workplace or sports contexts.

監かん督とくが選せん手しゅたちにハッパをかけて、後こう半はんの試し合あいに臨のぞんだ。
The coach fired up the players before they faced the second half of the match.
上じょう司しにハッパをかけられて、やる気きが出でた。
My boss gave me a pep talk and I felt motivated.

Written forms

ハッパをかける
kana-only spelling
Usually written in kana; the katakana spelling is common and avoids confusion with the kanji 葉っぱ.
発はっ破ぱをかける
Kanji spelling using 発破; rarely used and may be unfamiliar to many readers.
発はっ破ぱを掛かける
Variant kanji spelling with 掛ける; also rare.

Kanji

発departure, discharge, publish
破rend, rip, tear
掛hang, suspend, depend

Similar words

激げき励れい
激励 is a more formal, general word for encouragement, while ハッパをかける implies a rougher, more forceful push.
活かつを入いれる
活を入れる also means to energize or motivate, but often with a physical or sharp verbal component; ハッパをかける is more about verbal prodding.

Etymology

Originally a mining/construction term meaning 'to set off an explosive charge' (発破). The figurative sense of 'giving someone a strong push' developed from the idea of blasting away obstacles or inertia.