# に値する: to be worth; to be worthy of; to deserve; to merit

> Learn how to use に値する, a JLPT N1 grammar point meaning to be worth, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-ni-atai-suru/

**に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する** means **to be worth; to be worthy of; to deserve; to merit**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that someone or something deserves a particular evaluation, reaction, or outcome based on inherent quality or effort.

This grammar point often appears in essays, formal critiques, editorials, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you need to make a considered judgment about worthiness in Japanese, **に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する** is the precise tool.

## What does に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する mean?

Use **に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する** when you want to express that a person, action, or thing merits a specific assessment — praise, criticism, attention, trust, or even penalty.

Natural translations include:
- to be worth; to be worthy of; to deserve; to merit

The nuance skews formal and objective. It often appears in written evaluations, not in casual chat. That register matters: swapping in に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する where a friend would say <ruby>価値<rp>(</rp><rt>かち</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある changes the tone immediately.

## How to form に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する

Attach **に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する** directly to a dictionary-form verb or a noun.

<div class="formation">
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="ftoken t-stem">Verb (dictionary form)</span>
    <span class="fplus">＋</span>
    <span class="ftoken t-aux">に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する</span>
  </div>
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="ftoken t-stem">Noun</span>
    <span class="fplus">＋</span>
    <span class="ftoken t-aux">に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する</span>
  </div>
</div>

Common real-world attachments:
- <ruby>称賛<rp>(</rp><rt>しょうさん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">しょうさん</span>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する
- <ruby>信頼<rp>(</rp><rt>しんらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">しんらい</span>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する
- <ruby>注目<rp>(</rp><rt>ちゅうもく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">ちゅうもく</span>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する
- <ruby>努力<rp>(</rp><rt>どりょく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">どりょく</span>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する
- <ruby>評価<rp>(</rp><rt>ひょうか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">ひょうか</span>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する
- <ruby>罰<rp>(</rp><rt>ばつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">ばつ</span>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する

The negative form is **に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>しない** (does not deserve). You can also use には<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>しない after a verb in the ない-form to stress that even the bare minimum isn't met.

## When is に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する used?

**に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する** fits situations where you are making a deliberate judgment about worth, often in public or analytical writing.

Typical contexts:
- critiquing someone’s work or character
- editorial commentary on politics or social issues
- academic or business evaluations
- formal letters and speeches

Tone and register:
- formal, objective, and slightly detached
- rare in casual speech; sounds stiff in everyday conversation
- common in opinion columns, literary reviews, and JLPT N1 reading

If you use it in a friendly chat, you will sound like you are delivering a verdict. That can be intentional, but know when you’re doing it.

## に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する example sentences

<div class="examples">

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">かれ</span>の<ruby>長年<rp>(</rp><rt>ながねん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">ながねん</span>の<ruby>努力<rp>(</rp><rt>どりょく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">どりょく</span>は<ruby>称賛<rp>(</rp><rt>しょうさん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">しょうさん</span>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する。</div>
  <div class="example-en">His years of effort are worthy of praise.</div>
  <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">judgment</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">この<ruby>研究<rp>(</rp><rt>けんきゅう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">けんきゅう</span>はノーベル<ruby>賞<rp>(</rp><rt>しょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">しょう</span>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する<ruby>発見<rp>(</rp><rt>はっけん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">はっけん</span>だ。</div>
  <div class="example-en">This research is a discovery worthy of a Nobel Prize.</div>
  <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">evaluation</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">あの<ruby>政治家<rp>(</rp><rt>せいじか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">せいじか</span>の<ruby>発言<rp>(</rp><rt>はつげん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">はつげん</span>はまったく<ruby>信頼<rp>(</rp><rt>しんらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">しんらい</span>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>しない。</div>
  <div class="example-en">That politician’s remarks are not at all trustworthy (do not merit trust).</div>
  <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">criticism</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp"><ruby>彼女<rp>(</rp><rt>かのじょ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">かのじょ</span>の<ruby>行動<rp>(</rp><rt>こうどう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">こうどう</span>は<ruby>尊敬<rp>(</rp><rt>そんけい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">そんけい</span>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する。</div>
  <div class="example-en">Her actions are worthy of respect.</div>
  <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">praise</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">この<ruby>映画<rp>(</rp><rt>えいが</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">えいが</span>は<ruby>観客<rp>(</rp><rt>かんきゃく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">かんきゃく</span>の<ruby>注目<rp>(</rp><rt>ちゅうもく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">ちゅうもく</span>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する。</div>
  <div class="example-en">This film deserves the audience’s attention.</div>
  <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">recommendation</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>犯行<rp>(</rp><rt>はんこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">はんこう</span>は<ruby>重<rp>(</rp><rt>じゅう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">おも</span>い<ruby>罰<rp>(</rp><rt>ばつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">ばつ</span>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する。</div>
  <div class="example-en">His crime deserves a severe penalty.</div>
  <div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">judicial</span></div>
</div>

</div>

After reading each sentence, notice that に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する always attaches to a noun or verb that represents a standard: praise, trust, attention, punishment. The pattern doesn’t express a vague feeling — it declares that a bar has been met.

## Nuance of に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する

The core nuance is **objective worthiness based on merit, action, or quality**.

This isn’t about personal preference. You aren’t saying you *like* something or that it *moves* you. You are stating that something has earned a specific response by meeting a measurable or widely accepted standard.

- If you say <ruby>感動<rp>(</rp><rt>かんどう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="furi">かんどう</span>した, you are reporting an emotional reaction.
- If you say <ruby>感動<rp>(</rp><rt>かんどう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する, you are asserting that the thing *deserves* to move people, whether it moved you personally or not.

That shift from subjective to objective is the entire reason に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する exists. It lets you make a claim that feels grounded in evidence rather than feeling.

## に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する vs に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

Both patterns translate to “worth,” but they operate in different mental spaces.

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp a">
    <div class="cmp-head">に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">deserves a label or response</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">When you judge that something merits a certain noun: praise, trust, attention, criticism.</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>信頼<rp>(</rp><rt>しんらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する<ruby>人物<rp>(</rp><rt>じんぶつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">a person worthy of trust</div>
  </div>
  <div class="vs">vs</div>
  <div class="cmp b">
    <div class="cmp-head">に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">sufficient to do/be ~</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">When you evaluate whether something meets a minimum threshold for a verb: worth reading, worth mentioning, worth trusting.</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>信頼<rp>(</rp><rt>しんらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>するに<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>人物<rp>(</rp><rt>じんぶつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">a person reliable enough to trust (a person who is trustworthy)</div>
  </div>
</div>

Key difference: **に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する** points at the noun (the award, the label); **に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** points at the verb (the action of trusting, reading, discussing). That is why に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する often pairs with abstract value-nouns, while に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> pairs with verbs of action or judgment.

If both seem possible, check the word class of what follows. Noun → に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する. Verb → に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>.

## Common mistakes with に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する

<div class="mistakes">

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark bad">❌</div>
    <div class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>信頼<rp>(</rp><rt>しんらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>するべきだ。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark good">✅</div>
    <div class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>信頼<rp>(</rp><rt>しんらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="note">に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する already carries a sense of “should” or “deserves.” Adding べき is redundant and unnatural.</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark bad">❌</div>
    <div class="mline-body"><ruby>感動<rp>(</rp><rt>かんどう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する<ruby>人<rp>(</rp><rt>ひと</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></div>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark good">✅</div>
    <div class="mline-body"><ruby>感動<rp>(</rp><rt>かんどう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する<ruby>話<rp>(</rp><rt>はなし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>感動<rp>(</rp><rt>かんどう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>させる<ruby>人<rp>(</rp><rt>ひと</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></div>
  </div>
  <div class="note"><ruby>感動<rp>(</rp><rt>かんどう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する describes the thing that *causes* emotion (a story, a performance), not the person feeling it. A person is not “deserving of being moved”; a story is.</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark bad">❌</div>
    <div class="mline-body">このカバンは<ruby>買う<rp>(</rp><rt>かう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark good">✅</div>
    <div class="mline-body">このカバンは<ruby>買う<rp>(</rp><rt>かう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>価値<rp>(</rp><rt>かち</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="note">に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する is too formal and objective for personal shopping decisions. Use <ruby>価値<rp>(</rp><rt>かち</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある or <ruby>買い<rp>(</rp><rt>かい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> for everyday worth.</div>
</div>

</div>

Writing contrastive examples like these helps you internalize the register and collocation limits of に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する.

## Is に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N1</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    Yes. **に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する** is standard JLPT N1 grammar. It appears in the reading section, often inside opinion pieces or formal critiques. The test may ask you to choose the correct attachment (noun vs. verb form) or to identify the nuance when set against similar patterns like に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> or べきだ.
  </div>
  <div class="jlpt-checks">
    <span>✔ Recognize in formal texts</span>
    <span>✔ Understand objective-worth nuance</span>
    <span>✔ Distinguish from に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / べきだ</span>
  </div>
</div>

The JLPT isn’t just testing whether you can translate the word — it tests whether you understand the standard that に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する implies. If a passage uses に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する, the writer is making a claim of objective merit. Use that to guide your answer.

## Practice questions for に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する

<div class="prompts">
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">1</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Write a sentence using に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する to evaluate a public figure’s recent action.</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">judgment</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">2</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Use に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>しない to express why a product or service falls short.</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">criticism</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">3</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Write a pair of sentences: one with に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する, one with に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>. Explain why you chose each.</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">comparison</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">4</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Find a Japanese news headline that uses に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する and rewrite it in casual speech. Note the register shift.</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">register</div>
  </div>
</div>

Keep your practice sentences anchored to real situations you’d actually comment on. に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する feels hollow if you invent a generic phrase — it needs a concrete subject and standard.

## Learning path for に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">1</div>
    <div class="step-body">Memorize the attachment rule: dictionary-form verb or noun + に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する. Write five quick combinations (e.g., <ruby>称賛<rp>(</rp><rt>しょうさん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する, <ruby>信頼<rp>(</rp><rt>しんらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する) to build muscle memory.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">2</div>
    <div class="step-body">Compare に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する with に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>. Use the vs section above and create your own minimal pairs.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">3</div>
    <div class="step-body">Read an editorial or review in Japanese and highlight every instance of に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する (or its negative). Note the nouns it attaches to.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">4</div>
    <div class="step-body">Write a short paragraph evaluating a book, film, or policy. Use に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する at least twice, then replace it with <ruby>価値<rp>(</rp><rt>かち</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある and feel the formality drop.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">5</div>
    <div class="step-body">Review related N1 patterns below — many of them share the formal, evaluative register that に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する thrives in.</div>
  </div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [に](/blog/n1-ni/) — because it lays the foundation for many N1 compound particles, including に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する, where に marks the standard of evaluation
- [にあって](/blog/n1-ni-atte/) — because it also places a noun in a formal evaluative frame (“in the context of”), a natural companion when building N1-level arguments
- [にひきかえ](/blog/n1-ni-hikikae/) — because it contrasts one thing with another, often in an editorial tone, sharpening your ability to pair contrasts with worth judgments
- [に<ruby>至る<rp>(</rp><rt>いたる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まで](/blog/n1-ni-itaru-made/) — because it spans a range and often appears in the same formal registers that employ に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する

## Learn に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する with Hane

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