～がい

When to use

ます stem + がい: worth doing (やりがい, 生きがい).

Explanation

The ～がい grammar point is used to express that an action is worth doing or to emphasize the value and importance of doing something. It is attached to verbs in their stem form and can be translated as 'worth doing' in English.

• この本ほんは読よみがいがあります。

  This book is worth reading.

  Kono hon wa yomi-gai ga arimasu.

• 早起はやおきしがいがあると思おもいますよ。

  I think it's worth waking up early.

  Hayaoki shigai ga aru to omoimasu yo.

• 長ながい時間じかんをかけがいのある仕事しごとだ。

  It's a job worth spending a long time on.

  Nagai jikan o kake-gai no aru shigoto da.

• 彼かれとは話はなしがいがあるでしょう。

  It's worth talking to him.

  Kare to wa hanashi-gai ga aru deshō.

Worth (Worth Doing / In Vain / Bearable)

• ～かいがあって〜kaiga atteN2Used to express that an effort is worth it or has value…
• ～かいもなく〜kai mo nakuN2Expresses the meaning of 'without worth', 'in vain'…
• ～に堪える～ni taeruN1Used to say that something is 'worth doing' or 'can stand…
• ～に堪えない～ni taenaiN1Indicates something is unbearable or not worth doing…
• ～に耐える～ni taeruN1To endure or withstand something; 'endure', 'withstand'…
• ～足る Noun〜taru NounN1Indicates that something is worthy or sufficient to be…

Compare when to use each