Meaning and Usage
"通り掛かる" means to happen to pass by a place, often by chance or without a specific plan. It is commonly used when you unexpectedly encounter someone or something while passing through an area.
Common Contexts
This verb is often used in everyday conversation to describe casual or accidental encounters, such as meeting a friend or noticing something interesting while walking or driving.
Collocations and Patterns
- 通り掛かる人 (a passerby): Refers to someone who happens to be passing by.
- 通り掛かるたびに (every time one passes by): Indicates a repeated action linked to passing by.
- 通り掛かったので (because I happened to pass by): Used to explain an action triggered by passing by.
Register and Nuance
The expression is neutral and suitable for casual and polite conversation. It implies no intention to stop or visit, just a chance passing.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 通り掛かる with 通る (to pass through) which is more general. 通り掛かる emphasizes the chance or incidental nature of passing by, so use it when the passing is unplanned or accidental.