言こと葉ばをかける

Meanings

1

expression, ichidan verb

speak to; say something to; address

Used when one person initiates speaking to another, often with a specific tone or purpose (e.g., kind words, comforting words, a greeting). The phrase implies a deliberate act of speaking, not just casual conversation.

彼かの女じょは泣ないている友とも達だちに優やさしい言こと葉ばをかけた。
She spoke kind words to her crying friend.

知し

ら

ない

人ひと

に

突とつ

然ぜん

言こと

葉ば

を

かけ

られ

て

驚おどろ

い

た

。

I was surprised when a stranger suddenly spoke to me.

Written forms

言こと葉ばをかける
Standard kanji-kana spelling for this expression.
言こと葉ばを掛かける
Alternate kanji spelling using 掛ける; less common but still seen.

Kanji

言say, word
葉leaf, plane, lobe
掛hang, suspend, depend

Similar words

話はなしかける
話しかける is a more general verb for 'to start talking to someone' or 'to address someone', while 言葉をかける often implies speaking with a particular emotional tone or purpose, such as offering comfort or encouragement.
声こえをかける
声をかける is similar but can be used for calling out to get someone's attention or inviting someone to do something, whereas 言葉をかける focuses more on the content of what is said, often with a caring or deliberate nuance.

Etymology

A set phrase combining 言葉 (words) and かける (to apply, to direct toward). The verb かける here carries the sense of directing words toward someone, similar to its use in 声をかける.