あの 金庫破りの 手際は、賞賛に 値する。
That safe-cracker’s skill is worthy of praise.

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 (嘲笑に値する). If a boss moves with such precision that everyone has to respect it, he’s worthy of that respect (尊敬に値する).
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).

Check the flow before you go out there trying to sound like a boss. Here is how you piece it together.
| Form | Rule | Example | Translation |
| Noun | Noun + に値する | 称賛に値する | Worthy of praise |
| Verb (Dictionary) | Verb (Dict.) + に値する | 見るに値する | 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.

Read and master the example sentences below.
彼の 裏切りは、死に 値する。
His betrayal is worthy of death.
ボスの 決断は、常に 尊敬に 値する。
The boss’s decisions are always worthy of respect.
あの 新入りの ヘマは、嘲笑に 値するぜ。
That rookie’s blunder is worthy of ridicule, man.
組織に 泥を 塗った 行為は、厳罰に 値する。
The act of dragging the organization through the mud is worthy of severe punishment.
奴の 供述は、聞くに 値しない 嘘ばかりだ。
His statement is nothing but lies not even worth listening to.
汚職警官の 言い訳など、一考に 値しない。
A corrupt cop’s excuse isn’t worth a single thought.
密告者の 命は、一円の 価値にも 値しない。
A snitch’s life isn’t worth even a single yen.
弟分の 忠誠心は、賞賛に 値する ものだった。
The underling’s loyalty was something worthy of praise.
俺の 奢りだ、この 酒は 飲むに 値する 最高級品だ。
It’s on me; this liquor is a top-shelf product worthy of drinking.
裏社会で 生き残るには、信頼に 値する 仲間が 必要だ。
To survive in the underworld, you need comrades worthy of trust.
Stay dangerous.


Leave a comment