Japanese word

差し掛かる

Pronunciation

Romajisashikakaru

Meaning

  • verbapproach

Example

夕方、町の入り口に差し掛かります。yū gata machi no i ri guchi ni sa shi ka ka ri ma su

In the evening, we approach the entrance to the town.

Illustration for 差し掛かる (approach)

More examples

雨の中、私たちは坂の頂上に差し掛かりました。ame no naka watashi ta chi wa saka no chō jō ni sa shi ka ka ri ma shi ta

In the rain, we approached the top of the hill.

Core concept

It marks the point when someone or something draws near to and reaches a place, period, or stage.

Common phrases

  • 交差点に差し掛かるkō sa ten ni sa shi ka ka ru

    approach an intersection

  • 曲がり角に差し掛かるma ga ri kado ni sa shi ka ka ru

    reach a corner

  • 年末に差し掛かるnen matsu ni sa shi ka ka ru

    approach the end of the year

Similar words

近づくchikazuku: To come near a person, place, time, or thing.
迫るsemaru: To come very near, often creating a sense of urgency or pressure.
至るitaru: To reach a place, stage, or result after a process.
達するtassuru: To reach a specified place, level, amount, or stage.

Definition in Japanese

場所や時期、物事の段階などに近づいて、その地点や段階に至る。ba sho ya ji ki mono goto no dan kai na do ni chika zu i te so no chi ten ya dan kai ni ita ru

Word origin

差し掛かる (sashikakaru) comes from 差す (sasu, "to extend toward") and 掛かる (kakaru, "to come near or be upon"), a native combination describing nearness to a point.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 差し掛かる (sashikakaru) often presents an event as reaching a natural boundary, such as a journey nearing its destination or a day moving into evening.

Other meanings

  • reachverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word