引っかかった
Hikkakatta
The English phrase "made you look" is translated into Japanese as 引っかかった (Hikkakatta).
This phrase is used as a taunt to tease someone after you have successfully tricked them or led them into a trap, similar to saying "you fell for it."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This expression is informal and is typically used among friends, children or in casual settings. It would be inappropriate to use it in a formal or professional context.
How do you pronounce it?
Hikkakatta
Did you know?
- The word 引っかかった literally means 'to be caught on a hook' or 'to be snagged'. It evokes the image of a fish being caught by a lure, much like the person who was tricked.
- While 引っかかった is for pranks, Japanese uses different words for 'falling' for a lie depending on whether it was a trick, a romantic lure or a scam.
- The verb 引っかかる can also describe clothes getting snagged on a nail or a person getting stuck in a bureaucratic loop.
Examples in context
- 今の、完全に引っかかったね。Ima no, kanzen ni hikakatta ne.You totally fell for that one.
- え、引っかかったの？E, hikakatta no?Wait, did you fall for it?
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are playing a lighthearted prank on each other.
- 健太 Kenta結衣、あそこに何かいるよ！Yui, soko ni nani ka iru yo!Yui, there's something over there!
- 結衣 Yuiえっ、どこ？E, doko?Eh, where?
- 健太 Kentaあ、引っかかった！A, hikakatta!Ah, made you look!
- 結衣 Yuiもう、健太ったら！Mou, Kenta ttara!Geez, Kenta!
