Structure
Verb[た](1) + 甲斐 + がある(2)
Verb[ます]+ がい + がある(2)
Noun + の + 甲斐 + がある(2)
(1) Verb[る], Less common
(2) ない
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Standard
使用域
一般
About 甲斐がある
甲斐, a noun meaning 'worth' or 'effect', will often be used following verbs or nouns, in order to show that (A) was or will be worth doing. In many cases, this grammar point will be seen in hiragana, and will appear as either かい or がい, depending on how it is conjugating with the previous word. Possible translations include things like 'it is worth doing (A)', or '(A) will pay off'.
が and the う-Verb ある 'to be' will follow かい. This states that the 'worth of (A) exists'. Occasionally, the が will be omitted. When following verbs, がい will be used after the ます-stem, or かい may be used after any standard form.
When pairing with nouns, の will be required before かいがある.
が and the う-Verb ある 'to be' will follow かい. This states that the 'worth of (A) exists'. Occasionally, the が will be omitted. When following verbs, がい will be used after the ます-stem, or かい may be used after any standard form.
- この食パンを買えて、朝の4時から並んだ甲斐があった。It was worth standing in line since 4 a.m. as I was able to buy this bread.
- こういう景色を見ると生きている甲斐があると思う。This kind of scenery makes me feel that life is worth living.
- 彼女は何回注意しても上達しないから教えがいがない。She is not worth teaching because she does not improve no matter how many times I give her advice.
When pairing with nouns, の will be required before かいがある.
- みんなの努力の甲斐があり、この大会で優勝する事ができました。Everyone's hard work paid off, and we were able to win the tournament.
- 看病の甲斐があり、父がどんどんと元気になってきた。Nursing my father paid off and he is rapidly getting better and better.
- しょっぼ、なにこれ。こんなもんのために東京からきた甲斐がない。What the heck is this, this is it? It was not worth coming all the way from Tokyo for something like this.
Examples
毎日、日本語を勉強してたんだ。その甲斐(が)あって、とうとう日本語能力試験を合格した。気持ちがいい。
I studied Japanese every day. My efforts paid off, and I finally passed the JLPT. I feel great!
家族や友達と関係を断ち切った甲斐があった?いま、あんたがどんな金持ちだとしても孤独な暮らしをしてることに変わりはない。
Was it worth it to cut all ties with your family and friends? Now, no matter how rich you are, it doesn't change the fact that you will lead a lonely life.
やっぱり、消火器を取り付けておいた甲斐があって、今回役に立った。
As expected, it paid off to install a fire extinguisher, which proved to come in handy this time.
やっぱり電気や水を節約した甲斐があって、料金が減ったんだ。
As expected it was worth it to cut back on electricity and water use, because my payments decreased.
「彼は勉強しないので教え甲斐がない。」
'It is not worth to teach him, because he is not studying.'
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Maggie Sensei
生き甲斐
JAPANESE NATURALLY/ Mizue Sasaki
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