What does ～にはおよばない mean? Japanese grammar N1

Forming it

How to use it

Two meanings: (a) no need to go so far as to do A (polite reassurance); (b) doesn't measure up to/reach the level of A.

• 「～には及ばない」: (a) "there's no need to go so far as A" (心配するには及ばない = no need to worry); (b) "doesn't measure up to A" (N + には及ばない).
• Meaning (a) is polite reassurance; meaning (b) is comparison (falling short).
• Close to 「までもない」 for meaning (a).

Examples

• わざわざ来(き)ていただくには及(およ)びません。

  There’s no need for you to come all this way.

• 彼(かれ)の実力(じつりょく)はまだプロには及(およ)ばない。

  His ability still doesn’t match that of a pro.

Keep in mind

• Verb (meaning a) / noun (meaning b).
• Formal.

Common mistakes

• Wrong心配(しんぱい)するには及(およ)ばない、大変(たいへん)だ。

  No need to worry, it's really bad.

  Correct心配(しんぱい)するには及(およ)ばない、大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)だ。

  Meaning (a) is REASSURANCE ("no need to worry"); the following clause must be consistent (fine), not contradictory.

• Wrong彼(かれ)はプロには及(およ)ばないほど上手(じょうず)だ。

  He still hasn't reached the level of a pro.

  Correct彼(かれ)はまだプロには及(およ)ばない。

  Meaning (b) 「N には及ばない」 = does NOT match N (falls short), not surpasses it.

Exam tips

• 「には及ばない」 = (a) no need to go that far (reassurance) / (b) doesn't measure up to N.

Related patterns

• ～までもない
• ～ことはない
• ～に比べて