仕掛ける

• Reading: しかける
• Romaji: shikakeru
• Kanji breakdown: 仕 (shi) — to do, to serve; 掛 (kake/kakeru) — to hang, to set up, to begin
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.ka.ke.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To set up; to initiate; to start; to lay a trap or challenge; to devise a scheme.

A Group 2 (ichidan) compound verb from 仕 (to do, to serve) and 掛ける (to hang, to apply, to begin). It describes deliberately initiating something — an attack, a trap, a conversation, or a plan. Unlike 始める (to start neutrally), 仕掛ける implies intentionality and often a degree of cunning or preparation. Common in tactical, competitive, commercial, and interpersonal contexts.

Examples

1. 将棋の対局で先に攻撃を仕掛けるのはリスクが伴う。 Initiating an attack first in a shogi match carries considerable risk.
2. マーケティング部は競合に対して価格戦争を仕掛けた。 The marketing department launched a price war against its competitor.
3. その探偵は犯人を追い詰めるための罠を仕掛けた。 The detective set a trap to corner the culprit.

Usage Guide

Context: strategy, competition, games, business, conflict

Tone: assertive

Origin & History

Compound of 仕 (classical prefix for doing or working, from 仕える meaning to serve) and 掛ける (to hang, to begin, to apply force). The combination suggests a deliberate, prepared initiation of action toward a target.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: General