Japanese grammar
What does ～に足りない mean? Japanese grammar N1
～に足りない means not worth doing…; negligible.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | V辞書形 + に足りない N + に足りない |
| Romaji | nitarinai |
| Meaning | not worth doing…; negligible |
Forming it
| Verb (say) | 言う + に足りない |
|---|---|
| Verb (bother) | 取る + に足りない |
How to use it
States that something is NOT WORTH doing A. Only used with a few verbs: 言う・取る・恐れる.
- 「～に足りない」 = not worth doing A. Common phrases: 「取るに足りない」 (not worth bothering with), 「言うに足りない」.
- Different from the literal 「足りない」 (insufficient in quantity) — this pattern is about VALUE.
- The affirmative form 「～に足る」 = worth doing (信頼に足る人物).
Examples
そんな噂は取るに足りない。
A rumor like that isn’t worth taking seriously.
彼は信頼に足る人物だ。
He is a person worthy of trust.
Keep in mind
- Only with a few verbs: 取る・言う・恐れる.
- Different from 「足りない」, which means lacking in quantity.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong時間が取るに足りないから、急ごう。
We don't have enough time, so let's hurry.
Correct時間が足りないから、急ごう。
Insufficient in QUANTITY uses plain 「足りない」; 「に足りない」 is about value (not worth it).
-
Wrongこの問題は解くに足りない。
This problem isn't worth discussing.
Correctこの問題は取るに足りない。
Only used with a few FIXED verbs (取る・言う・恐れる).
Exam tips
- 「に足りない」 = not worth it (取るに足りない); different from 「足りない」 (insufficient quantity).