Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

やかんを掛ける (やかんをかける) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

やかんをかける

Meanings

1

expression, ichidan verb

put a kettle on (the stove)

usually written using kana alone

A set expression meaning to place a kettle on a heat source to boil water. Often used in domestic contexts.

お湯ゆを沸わかすために、やかんを掛かけてください。
Please put the kettle on to boil water.
母ははは朝あさ起おきると

すぐ

に

やかん

を

掛か

ける

。

My mother puts the kettle on as soon as she gets up in the morning.

Written forms

やかんを掛かける
This expression is usually written in kana. This kana spelling is the most common and learner-friendly form.
薬や缶かんをかける
Kanji form using 薬缶 for やかん. The kanji 薬缶 is rare and may not be recognized by all readers; the kana form is strongly preferred.

Kanji

薬medicine, chemical, enamel
缶tin can, container, jar radical (no. 121)
掛hang, suspend, depend

Similar words

やかん
やかん is the noun 'kettle'. The expression やかんを掛ける specifically means to put the kettle on the stove.
沸わかす
沸かす means 'to boil (water)'. やかんを掛ける focuses on the action of placing the kettle on the heat, while 沸かす focuses on the boiling process itself.

Etymology

The expression combines やかん (kettle) with 掛ける (to hang/put on). Historically, kettles were hung over a fire, hence the use of 掛ける.