ichidan verb, transitive verb
Implies taking something quickly and often secretly, with a nuance of stealth or opportunism. Used for physical theft or figuratively for stealing ideas, glances, etc.
すりが財布をかすめた。
A pickpocket stole my wallet.
彼は人のアイデアをかすめて自分のものにした。
He stole someone else's idea and passed it off as his own.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Used for deceiving someone to gain an advantage, often in a cunning or underhanded way. Less common than sense 1.
彼は巧みな話術で客をかすめた。
He tricked the customers with his smooth talk.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Describes light, fleeting physical contact, such as a bullet grazing skin or a hand brushing against something.
弾丸が彼の頬をかすめた。
The bullet grazed his cheek.
鳥の翼が水面をかすめた。
The bird's wing skimmed the water's surface.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
flit across; fleetingly appear
Used for thoughts, expressions, or emotions that appear and vanish quickly. Often with 心を or 顔を.
不安が一瞬心をかすめた。
A feeling of unease flitted through my mind for a moment.
彼女の顔に笑みがかすめた。
A smile flickered across her face.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
do secretly; do while no one is looking
Often used in the phrase 目をかすめて, meaning to do something unnoticed. The verb itself can take an action as object.
親の目をかすめて夜遅くまでゲームをした。
I played games late into the night without my parents noticing.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Archaic use for subtly suggesting or hinting at something. Not used in modern Japanese.
古文では、かすめるが「ほのめかす」の意味で使われることがある。
In classical texts, かすめる can be used to mean 'to hint at'.