口くちを掛かける

expression, ichidan verb

talk to; call out to; invite

Used when initiating conversation, calling out to someone, or inviting them to do something together. Often implies a casual or friendly approach.

• 彼かれは道みちで友とも達だちに口くちを掛かけた。

  He called out to his friend on the street.

• 飲のみ会かいに彼かの女じょも口くちを掛かけてみよう。

  Let's invite her to the drinking party too.

expression, ichidan verb

call a geisha or prostitute over

Specific to the pleasure quarters; used when summoning a geisha or sex worker. Rare in modern everyday conversation.

• 昔むかしの遊ゆう郭かくでは、客きゃくが好このみの遊ゆう女じょに口くちを掛かけた。

  In the old pleasure quarters, customers would call over the courtesan they fancied.