By ProDev Teach | Updated: May 2025
🔍 Meaning & Usage
The grammar pattern ～にかまけて is used to express that someone is so preoccupied or absorbed with something (often trivial or habitual) that they end up neglecting something important. It often carries a slightly negative or regretful nuance.
English Equivalents:
- Being absorbed in…
- Being too caught up in…
- Preoccupied with…
Structure:
Noun + にかまけて
Note: This structure often appears in written Japanese or formal narratives and implies a neglect of other duties.
💡 Example Sentences
- 仕事にかまけて、家族との時間を大切にしなかった。
Being too absorbed in work, I neglected spending time with my family. - 忙しさにかまけて、運動を全くしていない。
Being caught up in busyness, I haven’t exercised at all. - テレビにかまけて、宿題を忘れてしまった。
I was too absorbed in TV and forgot my homework. - スマホにかまけて、大切な話を聞き逃してしまった。
Because I was preoccupied with my phone, I missed an important conversation.
📝 Grammar Notes
The verb かまける (to be absorbed in) is almost always used in the negative sense with this grammar. It implies that the speaker has neglected something else due to being overly involved in the mentioned activity.
Commonly paired with:
- 仕事 (work)
- 育児 (childcare)
- 趣味 (hobbies)
- 勉強 (studies)
✏️ Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks
- 勉強（ ）、部屋の掃除を忘れてしまった。
- 仕事（ ）、健康をおろそかにしてしまった。
- スマホ（ ）、友達の話を聞いていなかった。
✔ Answers:
- 勉強にかまけて、部屋の掃除を忘れてしまった。
- 仕事にかまけて、健康をおろそかにしてしまった。
- スマホにかまけて、友達の話を聞いていなかった。
2. Translation Practice
- I was too busy with childcare and forgot to reply to your message.
- Being preoccupied with games, I didn’t notice the time.
✔ Suggested Answers:
- 育児にかまけて、あなたのメッセージに返事をするのを忘れてしまった。
- ゲームにかまけて、時間に気づかなかった。
📚 Comparison with Similar Grammar
- ～のあまり: Used to express that something happened “because of too much of” an emotion or state (e.g. あまりの悲しみに).
- ～に夢中になって: A more neutral way to say “to be absorbed in,” without the negative implication of neglect.
🧠 Summary
- ～にかまけて = “Being too absorbed in…”
- JLPT Level: N1
- Often implies neglect of something else important
- Common in written and formal Japanese
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
