How to Say "Multiply" in Japanese

掛ける

kakeru[ka̠ke̞ɾɯ̟]

The Japanese verb for 'multiply' is 掛ける (kakeru).

In mathematical contexts, 掛ける is the standard verb used for the operation of multiplication.

Meaning: to perform multiplication (verb)

Which one should you use?

While the kanji form 掛ける is common, it is often written in hiragana as かける in educational contexts.

When you want to say 'to multiply by', you use the particle を with the number being multiplied by the multiplier, forming the phrase を掛ける.

kakeru

The kanji used in 掛ける represents the idea of suspending something. This is why the same character is used when you 'put on' glasses, as they are 'suspended' on the nose and ears.
In Japanese schools, the multiplication table is called 九九 (kuku). The word literally means 'nine nine', referring to the nine tables from one to nine.
While 掛ける is used for the action of multiplying, the result of a multiplication is called 積 (seki). This word is a homophone for the word meaning 'accumulation' or 'pile'.

２に３を掛けると６になる。
Multiply 2 by 3 and you get 6.
This sentence is useful for showing how to express the result of multiplying 2 by 3 using 掛ける.
Wiktionary
数を掛ける
Multiply a number
かけ算をする
Do multiplication
この数字に２を掛けるとどうなりますか？
Kono suuji ni ni o kakeru to dou narimasu ka?
What happens if you multiply this number by 2?

A student is asking for help with a math problem.

陽葵 Himari

健太君、この計算がわかりません。
Kenta-kun, kono keisan ga wakarimasen.
Kenta, I don't understand this calculation.
健太 Kenta

８に７を掛けるんだよ。
Hachi ni nana o kakeru n da yo.
You multiply 8 by 7.
陽葵 Himari

あ、答えは５６ですね！
A, kotae wa gojuuroku desu ne!
Ah, the answer is 56!
健太 Kenta

正解だよ、陽葵さん。
Seikai da yo, Himari-san.
That's correct, Himari.

Sources

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