飛とびかかる

と

び

か

る

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

spring at; leap upon; swoop down on; throw oneself upon

Describes a sudden, forceful jump toward a target, often with aggressive or attacking intent. Used for people, animals, or figurative lunging motions.

犬いぬが突とつ然ぜん、郵ゆう便びん配はい達たつ員いんに飛とびかかった。
The dog suddenly sprang at the mail carrier.
犯はん人にん

は

背はい

後ご

から

警けい

官かん

に

飛と

びかかっ

た

。

The criminal leaped upon the police officer from behind.

鷹たかが獲え物ものめがけて飛とびかかる。

The hawk swoops down on its prey.

Written forms

飛とびかかるUsage71%
Standard kanji spelling using 飛ぶ (to fly/jump).
とびかかるUsage21%
飛とび掛かかるUsage8%
Variant with 掛かる; less common but still used.
飛とび掛かかる
Variant with 掛る; older or abbreviated form.

Kanji

飛fly, skip (pages), scatter
掛hang, suspend, depend

Similar words

襲おそいかかる
襲いかかる emphasizes attacking or assaulting, while 飛びかかる focuses on the physical leaping motion itself.
跳とびつく
跳びつく often implies clinging or grabbing after jumping, whereas 飛びかかる is more about the initial pounce or lunge.

Etymology

Compound of 飛び (continuative form of 飛ぶ, 'to fly/jump') + かかる ('to go toward, to attack'). The kanji 跳 is sometimes used for the leaping nuance, but 飛 is standard.