Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 5: 5/18

甲斐(かい)があるTo be (not) worth, To (not) pay off

Structure

Verb［た］(1) + 甲斐(かい) + がある(2)
Verb［ます］+ がい + がある(2)
Noun + の + 甲斐(かい) + がある(2)

(1) Verb［る］, Less common
(2) ない

Details

  • Register

    Standard

About 甲斐がある

甲斐(かい), 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.

The primary difference between these conjugation patterns is that there is more focus on the tense of the verb with かい, whereas がい will frequently have the nuance of it 'always being worth (A)'.

When pairing with nouns, の will be required before かいがある.

Alternatively, かいがない may be used in order to indicate that it is 'not' worth doing something.

かいがある is primarily used when the speaker wants to convey that a positive result will come from something that is either difficult or unpleasant.

Examples

--:--

    「彼(かれ)は勉強(べんきょう)しないので教(おし)え甲斐(がい)がない。」

    'It is not worth to teach him, because he is not studying.'

    移転(いてん)した甲斐(かい)があり、今(いま)やうちは人気(にんき)店(てん)だ。

    Now my shop is popular. Moving was worth it.

    あの選手(せんしゅ)の本音(ほんね)を聞(き)けて、インタビューした甲斐(かい)がありました。

    The interview was worth it as I was able to hear what that athlete truly thinks.

    あんだけ喜(よろこ)んでもらえれば、頑張(がんば)って手(て)で編(あ)んだ甲斐(かい)がある。

    If they are going to be that happy about it, it is worth it to knit it by hand.

    やっぱり、消火(しょうか)器(き)を取(と)り付(つ)けておいた甲斐(かい)があって、今回(こんかい)役(やく)に立(た)った。

    As expected, it paid off to install a fire extinguisher, which proved to come in handy this time.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

  • Online

      There are no Online resources listed for 「甲斐がある」.

      You can . Resources are constantly updated, come back later to see new additions!

    • Offline

        There are no Offline resources listed for 「甲斐がある」.

        You can . Resources are constantly updated, come back later to see new additions!

      • Track Resources!

        Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

      甲斐がある – Grammar Discussion

        There's currently no discussion for 甲斐がある
        Ask questions and learn together with other Bunpro users!

      Join the Discussion