Learn Hardcore Japanese: aonori wo kakeru. - I sprinkle on the green laver.

青あおのり　を　かける。aonori o kakeru.

I sprinkle on the green laver.

Breakdown of aonori o kakeru.

をo

direct object particle

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Questions & Answers about aonori o kakeru.

What does 青のり specifically refer to?

青のり refers to a kind of green seaweed flake used as a topping. In Japanese food, it is often sprinkled over things like okonomiyaki, takoyaki, or yakisoba.

It is more specific than just のり, which can also refer to the dried seaweed sheets used for sushi.

How is 青のり read?

It is read あおのり.

青 = あお
のり = seaweed

So the full reading is あおのり.

Why is を used in this sentence?

を marks the direct object of the verb.

Here, 青のり is the thing being put on or sprinkled, so it takes を:

青のりをかける = to put/sprinkle green seaweed on something

So grammatically, 青のり is the object of かける.

Why is the verb かける used here? Does it not usually mean something like to hang or to make a phone call?