How to use 〜に値する (ni atai suru): A Streetwise JLPT N2 Grammar Guide

safe cracker

あの 金庫きんこやぶりの 手際てぎわは、賞賛しょうさんあたいする。
That safe-cracker’s skill is worthy of praise.

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Read the explanation below to understand the nuance of how this grammar structure is used.

Today we’re breaking down 〜に値する (ni ataisuru). This ain’t some “hello, how are you” weak sauce. This is about prestige, respect, and whether or not something is actually worth the hustle.


The Lowdown on 〜に値する

Listen, in the streets, your word and your reputation are everything. When we use 〜に値する, we’re saying something is “worthy of” or “deserves” a certain reaction or status. It’s like when Nipsey Hussle talked about the “Victory Lap”—that win was worthy of all the blood, sweat, and tears he put in.

The Nuance: This grammar point is high-level and formal, but it carries weight. It’s not just “worth it” like a cheap burger. It’s used for things that truly merit a high level of praise, criticism, or serious consideration. If a snitch’s testimony is so full of holes it’s laughable, it’s worth laughing at (嘲笑ちょうしょうあたいする). If a boss moves with such precision that everyone has to respect it, he’s worthy of that respect (尊敬そんけいあたいする).

The Metaphor: Think of it like a Jewelry Store Appraisal. You don’t just walk in with a piece of glass and call it a diamond. The appraiser looks at the clarity, the cut, and the carats to see if it’s worthy of that $50,000 price tag. 〜に値する is that appraisal. It’s the scale that decides if the action or the person matches the value of the reward (or the punishment).


Grammar Conjugation Guide.

Check the flow before you go out there trying to sound like a boss. Here is how you piece it together.

FormRuleExampleTranslation
NounNoun + に値する称賛しょうさんあたいするWorthy of praise
Verb (Dictionary)Verb (Dict.) + に値するるにあたいするWorthy of seeing (Worth watching)

To use this, you just take a heavy-duty Noun (usually a 2-kanji compound like respect, praise, or scorn) or the dictionary form of a verb and slap に値する right on the end. It functions like a verb itself, so you can end a sentence with it, or use it to modify another noun by saying 〜に値する + Noun. Keep it tight, or you’ll look like a marksman with no aim.


Example sentences

Read and master the example sentences below.

かれ裏切うらぎりは、あたいする。
His betrayal is worthy of death.

ボスの 決断けつだんは、つね尊敬そんけいあたいする。
The boss’s decisions are always worthy of respect.

あの 新入しんいりの ヘマは、嘲笑ちょうしょうあたいするぜ。
That rookie’s blunder is worthy of ridicule, man.

組織そしきどろった 行為こういは、厳罰げんばつあたいする。
The act of dragging the organization through the mud is worthy of severe punishment.

やつ供述きょうじゅつは、くに あたいしない うそばかりだ。
His statement is nothing but lies not even worth listening to.

汚職おしょく警官けいかんわけなど、一考いっこうあたいしない。
A corrupt cop’s excuse isn’t worth a single thought.

密告みっこくしゃいのちは、いちえん価値かちにも あたいしない。
A snitch’s life isn’t worth even a single yen.

弟分おとうとぶん忠誠ちゅうせいしんは、賞賛しょうさんあたいする ものだった。
The underling’s loyalty was something worthy of praise.

おれおごりだ、この さけむに あたいする さい高級こうきゅうひんだ。
It’s on me; this liquor is a top-shelf product worthy of drinking.

うら社会しゃかいのこるには、信頼しんらいあたいする 仲間なかま必要ひつようだ。
To survive in the underworld, you need comrades worthy of trust.


Stay dangerous.

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