To contract or come down with a disease; to become ill with something. Usually written in kana and used in the pattern 病気にかかる.
子どもの頃、水ぼうそうにかかったことがある。
I had chickenpox when I was a child.
冬はインフルエンザにかかる人が多い。
Many people catch the flu in winter.
祖父は重い病気にかかって入院した。
My grandfather was hospitalized after contracting a serious illness.
手洗いをすれば、風邪にかかりにくくなる。
If you wash your hands, you're less likely to catch a cold.