〜にかけては
When It Comes to
Use 〜にかけては to say 'When it comes to [Topic], [Subject] is the best.' It focuses on a specific area of expertise or high-level skill.
How It Works
The expression 〜にかけては is a specialized way to introduce a topic of excellence. While similar to 〜について or 〜に関して, it is not neutral. It carries a strong nuance of 'in this specific area, no one is better.'
Key Characteristics:
- Evaluative Tone: The sentence is almost always followed by an evaluation of high skill, such as 'is the best' (一番), 'has no equal' (右に出る者はいない), or 'won't lose to anyone' (誰にも負けない).
- Common Collocations: It is frequently used with nouns like 知識（ちしき - knowledge）, 技術（ぎじゅつ - technique）, or 腕前（うでまえ - skill/ability）.
- Positive Focus: It is generally used for positive traits or impressive skills. Even if the skill itself is 'negative' (like lying), the speaker is emphasizing the person's expert ability at it.
- Distinction: Do not confuse this with the range pattern 'AからBにかけて' (from A to B). This pattern focuses solely on a domain of expertise.
Structure:
1. Noun + 〜にかけては (e.g., 料理にかけては)
2. Adjective-sa + 〜にかけては (e.g., 足の速さにかけては)
3. Verb (Dictionary Form) + こと + 〜にかけては (e.g., 走ることにかけては)
4. Noun + 〜にかけての + Noun (e.g., 料理にかけての才能 - talent when it comes to cooking)
Examples (4)
- 足の速さにかけては、クラスで彼の右に出る者はいない。
When it comes to running speed, no one in the class can surpass him.
Word by Word: Leg speed regarding-as-for, class in his right-side-to exit person is-not.
The phrase '右に出る者はいない' (no one can surpass) is a very common pairing with this grammar.
- 彼は勉強は苦手だが、料理を作ることにかけてはプロ級の腕前だ。
He is not good at studying, but when it comes to cooking, his skills are professional-level.
Word by Word: He study as-for weak-at but, cooking make-thing regarding-as-for pro-level skill is.
Here, the pattern highlights a specific area of strength (cooking) in contrast to a weakness (studying).
- このスマホは高いが、カメラの性能にかけては他社の追随を許さない。
This smartphone is expensive, but when it comes to camera performance, it is unrivaled by other companies.
Word by Word: This smartphone as-for expensive but, camera performance regarding-as-for other-company's following not-allow.
This shows the pattern can be used for the features or performance of objects, not just people.
- 嘘をつくことにかけては、彼の右に出る者はいない。
When it comes to lying, no one is better than him.
Word by Word: Lie tell-thing regarding-as-for, his right-side-to exit person is-not.
Even though lying is a negative action, the grammar is used here to emphasize the person's high level of 'skill' at it.
Common Mistakes
Confusing this pattern with the time/space range pattern 〜から〜にかけて.
東京にかけては、雨が降るでしょう。東京から神奈川にかけては、雨が降るでしょう。The pattern 〜にかけては is used to highlight a specific area of expertise. If you want to describe a range in time or space (from A to B), you must use 〜から followed by the range marker 〜にかけて.
Using it for simple facts without an evaluative conclusion.
数学にかけては、昨日３時間勉強しました。数学にかけては、誰にも負けない自信がある。〜にかけては is typically followed by a statement of superiority or high skill. You cannot use it to simply state that you performed an action like studying.
Using it for general weaknesses.
歌の下手さにかけては、彼が一番だ。歌の下手さについては、彼が一番だ。While you can use it for 'negative skills' (like lying) to show someone is highly proficient in that area, you shouldn't use it for general weaknesses. Use 〜について or 〜に関して for neutral or negative topics.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand '〜にかけては', you need to be familiar with the basic particles 'に' and 'は', as they define the scope and topic. Additionally, knowledge of the 'te-form' is required as the pattern is derived from the verb 'kakeru' (to hang/extend) in its conjunctive form.
- にTarget/location Marker
The pattern is built upon the target particle 'に', which indicates the area or field being discussed.
Level 1 - て形Te-form
The pattern uses the 'te-form' of the verb 'kakeru' (to hang/apply), which is essential for understanding the grammatical construction of the phrase.
Level 2 - はTopic Marker
The topic marker 'は' is used at the end of the pattern to establish the specific field as the topic of comparison or evaluation.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- からFrom/because
Used in the related structure 'AからBにかけて' to express a range in time or space, which is often confused with this expertise pattern.
Level 1 - についてAbout/concerning
A neutral way to say 'about' or 'concerning' a topic, without the nuance of superiority.
Level 3 - に関してRegarding/concerning
A more formal version of 'about,' used for general topics rather than highlighting a specific skill.
Level 3 - 一番Most/number One
Often used in the concluding clause of 〜にかけては to state that someone is 'number one' in that field.
Level 2 - ことVerb to Noun
Used to turn a verb into a noun so it can be used with 〜にかけては.
Level 3 - さNoun from い-adj
Used to turn adjectives into nouns (e.g., 足の速さ) to define the specific area of expertise.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice 〜にかけては in Bubblegum
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