GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜にかまけて
Indicates becoming so absorbed in work, a hobby, or another pursuit that one fails to attend to other responsibilities.
Examples
仕事にかまけて、家族との約束を何度も後回しにしてしまった。
Absorbed in my work, I ended up putting off plans with my family again and again.
Words used
趣味にかまけて、連絡を忘れていた。
Absorbed in my hobby, I forgot to get in touch.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Attach
にかまけてto a noun such as work or a hobby to describe being absorbed in it to the neglect of another duty. - Basic usage:
趣味にかまけて、連絡を忘れていた。means being so absorbed in a hobby that getting in touch was forgotten.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Evaluation compared with 集中して
仕事に集中してdescribes concentrating on work itself.仕事にかまけてforegrounds the negative aspect of neglecting other responsibilities.