# に足る: can do; worthy; worth doing

> Learn how to use に足る (ni taru), a JLPT N1 grammar point meaning worthy of doing or sufficient to do, with structure, examples, comparisons, and mistakes.

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

**に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** / **に<ruby>足りる<rp>(</rp><rt>たりる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** means **can do; worthy; worth doing**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that something has enough value or reason to be done — that it is worthy of a particular action or trust.

This grammar point often appears in formal speech, written opinions, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to say that a person, thing, or action merits being done or trusted, **に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** is a concise, precise choice that adds weight to your Japanese.

<p class="pullquote">に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> isn't about physical ability — it's about whether the situation merits the action. You use it to draw a line between what's worth doing and what isn't.</p>

## What does に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> mean?

Use **に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** when you want to state that something has enough value, reason, or quality to be done, believed, or experienced.

Natural translations include:
- worth doing; worthy of; enough to; can be done

**に<ruby>足りる<rp>(</rp><rt>たりる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** is the modern equivalent and carries the same meaning, but **に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** is more common in formal writing. The negative form **に<ruby>足ら<rp>(</rp><rt>たら</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない** (or **に<ruby>足り<rp>(</rp><rt>たり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない**) means **not worth doing**.

The best translation depends on the sentence. Focus on whether the speaker is evaluating worth, not ability.

## How to form に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Verb<br/>dictionary form</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core">に</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-aux"><ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></span>
  <span class="farrow">→</span>
  <span class="formula">…するに<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></span>
</div>

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Noun</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core">に</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-aux"><ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></span>
  <span class="farrow">→</span>
  <span class="formula"><ruby>信頼<rp>(</rp><rt>しんらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></span>
</div>

You can replace **<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** with **<ruby>足りる<rp>(</rp><rt>たりる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** in spoken or less stiff contexts; both are accepted, but **<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** is preferred in formal writing and on the JLPT.

The negative form attaches **<ruby>足ら<rp>(</rp><rt>たら</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない** (from <ruby>足りる<rp>(</rp><rt>たりる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>) or **<ruby>足り<rp>(</rp><rt>たり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない** to **に**:

- <ruby>読む<rp>(</rp><rt>よむ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>足ら<rp>(</rp><rt>たら</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない → not worth reading
- <ruby>信頼<rp>(</rp><rt>しんらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>足り<rp>(</rp><rt>たり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない → not trustworthy

The pattern is always **に + <ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> / <ruby>足りる<rp>(</rp><rt>たりる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>**, never **ことを<ruby>足りる<rp>(</rp><rt>たりる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** or **に<ruby>足っ<rp>(</rp><rt>たっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ている**. Treat it as a fixed compound.

## When is に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> used?

Use **に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** in situations like:
- evaluating whether a person deserves trust, praise, or attention
- judging whether a book, film, or event is worth your time
- stating that an explanation, argument, or reason is sufficient
- making strong, formal value statements

Tone and register:
- formal to very formal; common in editorials, reports, and essays
- shows clear, often critical, judgment
- rare in casual chat — in everyday conversation you would more likely say ～に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する or a simpler phrase

## に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> example sentences

<div class="examples">

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">
    <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>するに<ruby>足<rp> (</rp><rt>た</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>る<ruby>人物<rp> (</rp><rt>じんぶつ</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>です。
  </div>
  <div class="example-en">He is a person worthy of trust.</div>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">trust</span>
    <span class="example-tag">person</span>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">
    その<ruby>映画<rp> (</rp><rt>えいが</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>は<ruby>見<rp> (</rp><rt>み</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>るに<ruby>足<rp> (</rp><rt>た</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>る<ruby>作品<rp> (</rp><rt>さくひん</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>だ。
  </div>
  <div class="example-en">That film is a work worth watching.</div>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">film</span>
    <span class="example-tag">recommendation</span>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">
    <ruby>彼女<rp> (</rp><rt>かのじょ</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>の<ruby>意見<rp> (</rp><rt>いけん</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>は<ruby>考慮<rp> (</rp><rt>こうりょ</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>するに<ruby>足<rp> (</rp><rt>た</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>りない。
  </div>
  <div class="example-en">Her opinion is not worth considering.</div>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">opinion</span>
    <span class="example-tag">negative</span>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">
    この<ruby>本<rp> (</rp><rt>ほん</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>は<ruby>読<rp> (</rp><rt>よ</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>むに<ruby>足<rp> (</rp><rt>た</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>る<ruby>内容<rp> (</rp><rt>ないよう</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>が<ruby>全<rp> (</rp><rt>まった</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>くない。
  </div>
  <div class="example-en">This book has absolutely nothing worth reading.</div>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">book</span>
    <span class="example-tag">strong criticism</span>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">
    <ruby>彼<rp> (</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>の<ruby>努力<rp> (</rp><rt>どりょく</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>は<ruby>称賛<rp> (</rp><rt>しょうさん</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>するに<ruby>足<rp> (</rp><rt>た</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>る。
  </div>
  <div class="example-en">His efforts are worthy of praise.</div>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">effort</span>
    <span class="example-tag">praise</span>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <div class="example-jp">
    <ruby>問題<rp> (</rp><rt>もんだい</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>にするに<ruby>足<rp> (</rp><rt>た</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>らない<ruby>些細<rp> (</rp><rt>ささい</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>な<ruby>事<rp> (</rp><rt>こと</rt><rp>) </rp></ruby>だ。
  </div>
  <div class="example-en">It's a trivial matter not worth making an issue of.</div>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">minor issue</span>
    <span class="example-tag">negative</span>
  </div>
</div>

</div>

After reading each sentence, ask what job **に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** is doing: **evaluating whether the action or quality is sufficient / worthy**. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

## Nuance of に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

The key nuance is **a subjective judgment of worth or sufficiency**. It's not about capability — it's about the speaker's personal (or collective) standard for what "deserves" to be done.

This matters because learners often equate **に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** with "can do", missing the evaluative stance. A phrase like <ruby>話す<rp>(</rp><rt>はなす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>相手<rp>(</rp><rt>あいて</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> means "someone worthwhile to talk to", not just "a person you can talk to."

Points to note:
- **に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** almost always comes from the speaker's perspective, implying the speaker is setting the bar.
- Negative forms (に<ruby>足ら<rp>(</rp><rt>たら</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない / に<ruby>足り<rp>(</rp><rt>たり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない) are very common and often carry a dismissive tone.
- Using **に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** instead of a simple ～できる upgrades the sentence from a factual statement to a value judgment.
- The phrase tends to appear in critical reviews, formal critiques, and strong opinions.

<div class="note-callout">
  <div class="note-icon">💡</div>
  <div class="note-body">
    When you see に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> in a reading passage, ask yourself: who is the speaker, and what standard are they applying? This pattern often reveals the writer's values.
  </div>
</div>

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

Both **に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** and **に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する** can be translated as "worthy of", but they are used in different contexts.

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp">
    <div class="cmp-head">に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">judgment of sufficiency</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Use when the bar is whether something is enough to justify the action. The focus is on meeting a threshold.</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>読<rt>よ</rt></ruby>むに<ruby>足<rt>た</rt></ruby>る</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">worth reading (enough quality or content to be read)</div>
  </div>
  <div class="vs">vs</div>
  <div class="cmp">
    <div class="cmp-head">に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">judgment of equivalent value</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Use when something deserves a reaction, reward, or price because it matches the level. Often about deserving praise, money, or punishment.</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>賞<rt>しょう</rt></ruby>に<ruby>値<rt>あたい</rt></ruby>する</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">deserving of a prize (matching the level required for an award)</div>
  </div>
</div>

Quick contrast:

- <ruby>読む<rp>(</rp><rt>よむ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>本<rp>(</rp><rt>ほん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>：a book with enough substance to be worth reading.
- <ruby>賞賛<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>努力<rp>(</rp><rt>どりょく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>：effort that deserves praise, because effort and praise match.

If both translations seem possible, check whether the sentence is about **enough** (<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>) or **deserving reciprocity** (<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する). The tone will guide you.

## Common mistakes with に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

<div class="mistakes">

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark bad">❌</div>
    <div class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>は<ruby>話<rt>はな</rt></ruby>すことを<ruby>足<rt>た</rt></ruby>る。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark good">✅</div>
    <div class="mline-body"><ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>は<ruby>話<rt>はな</rt></ruby>すに<ruby>足<rt>た</rt></ruby>る。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="note">Never insert こと before に. The verb attaches directly to に.</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark bad">❌</div>
    <div class="mline-body">この<ruby>問題<rt>もんだい</rt></ruby>は<ruby>簡単<rt>かんたん</rt></ruby>すぎて<ruby>考<rt>かんが</rt></ruby>えるに<ruby>足<rt>た</rt></ruby>る。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark good">✅</div>
    <div class="mline-body">この<ruby>問題<rt>もんだい</rt></ruby>は<ruby>簡単<rt>かんたん</rt></ruby>すぎて<ruby>考<rt>かんが</rt></ruby>えるに<ruby>足<rt>た</rt></ruby>らない。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="note">If something is too trivial to be worth doing, use the negative form. に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> here would mean "worthy of thought" — the opposite of your intent.</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark bad">❌</div>
    <div class="mline-body"><ruby>信頼<rt>しんらい</rt></ruby>するに<ruby>足<rt>た</rt></ruby>る<ruby>人<rt>ひと</rt></ruby>がいたら<ruby>会<rt>あ</rt></ruby>ってみたい。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <div class="mark good">✅</div>
    <div class="mline-body"><ruby>信頼<rt>しんらい</rt></ruby>できる<ruby>人<rt>ひと</rt></ruby>がいたら<ruby>会<rt>あ</rt></ruby>ってみたい。</div>
  </div>
  <div class="note">に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> is too formal and evaluative for casual desire. In everyday speech, prefer できる unless you're making a deliberate value statement.</div>
</div>

</div>

A reliable self-check: write your sentence with **に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>**, then replace it with ほど<ruby>価値<rp>(</rp><rt>かち</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある. If the tone feels forced or overly dramatic, you probably wanted a simpler form.

## Is に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N1</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <strong>に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong> is a formal evaluation pattern and appears regularly in <strong>JLPT N1 reading and grammar sections</strong>. You can expect it in:
    <ul class="jlpt-checks">
      <li>sentence-equivalence questions (choose the same meaning)</li>
      <li>usage questions that test the negative form に<ruby>足ら<rp>(</rp><rt>たら</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない</li>
      <li>reading passages with strong opinion or critique</li>
    </ul>
    The exam does not require you to produce the pattern, but you must recognize its evaluative tone and distinguish it from に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する.
  </div>
</div>

## Practice questions for に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

<div class="prompts">

<div class="prompt">
  <div class="prompt-num">1</div>
  <div class="prompt-text">Write a sentence using <strong>に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong> to describe a trustworthy colleague or public figure.</div>
  <div class="prompt-tag">trust</div>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
  <div class="prompt-num">2</div>
  <div class="prompt-text">Think of a book or film you found disappointing. Express that disappointment using <strong>に<ruby>足ら<rp>(</rp><rt>たら</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない</strong>.</div>
  <div class="prompt-tag">negative evaluation</div>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
  <div class="prompt-num">3</div>
  <div class="prompt-text">Compare <strong>に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></strong> and <strong>に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する</strong> by making two sentences about the same situation but with different nuance.</div>
  <div class="prompt-tag">contrast</div>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
  <div class="prompt-num">4</div>
  <div class="prompt-text">You overhear someone saying a piece of gossip. Use <strong>に<ruby>足り<rp>(</rp><rt>たり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ない</strong> to dismiss it as not worth paying attention to.</div>
  <div class="prompt-tag">dismissive</div>
</div>

</div>

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add context that makes the judgment clear.

## Learning path for に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

<div class="path">

<div class="path-step">
  <div class="step-num">1</div>
  <div class="step-body">
    <strong>Nail the attachment.</strong> Practice the raw pattern: <em>V-dict + に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></em> and <em>N + に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></em>. Write five short combinations (e.g., <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>読む<rp>(</rp><rt>よむ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>, <ruby>考慮<rp>(</rp><rt>こうりょ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>) until they feel automatic.
  </div>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
  <div class="step-num">2</div>
  <div class="step-body">
    <strong>Compare with に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する.</strong> Take a situation where both might fit and articulate why one is better. This sharpens your feel for the sufficiency-vs-equivalence nuance.
  </div>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
  <div class="step-num">3</div>
  <div class="step-body">
    <strong>Build evaluative sentences.</strong> Write full sentences that judge a person, work, or argument. Include both positive and negative judgments to master the negative form.
  </div>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
  <div class="step-num">4</div>
  <div class="step-body">
    <strong>Read formal opinions.</strong> Look for に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> in Japanese editorials or book reviews. Highlight every instance and note what standard the author is applying.
  </div>
</div>

</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [に](/blog/n1-ni/) — the foundational particle; seeing how it combines with <ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> deepens your feel for evaluation patterns.
- [に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する](/blog/n1-ni-atai-suru/) — the direct "worthy of" partner; essential for contrast.
- [にあって](/blog/n1-ni-atte/) — another N1 に-pattern that expresses a situation or role, often used in formal evaluations.
- [に<ruby>引き換え<rp>(</rp><rt>ひきかえ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>](/blog/n1-ni-hikikae/) — shows contrast, useful after you've made a judgment with に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>.

## Learn に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> with Hane

If you want to review **に<ruby>足る<rp>(</rp><rt>たる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Each grammar point comes with example sentences, quick checks, and level-appropriate drills.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)