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

safe cracker

あの 金庫きんこ破やぶりの 手際てぎわは、賞賛しょうさんに 値あたいする。
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 (嘲笑ちょうしょうに値あたいする). If a boss moves with such precision that everyone has to respect it, he’s worthy of that respect (尊敬そんけいに値あたいする).

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に値あたいするWorthy of praise
Verb (Dictionary)Verb (Dict.) + に値する見みるに値あたいする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.

彼かれの 裏切うらぎりは、死しに 値あたいする。
His betrayal is worthy of death.

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

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

組織そしきに 泥どろを 塗ぬった 行為こういは、厳罰げんばつに 値あたいする。
The act of dragging the organization through the mud is worthy of severe punishment.

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

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

密告みっこく者しゃの 命いのちは、一いち円えんの 価値かちにも 値あたいしない。
A snitch’s life isn’t worth even a single yen.

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

俺おれの 奢おごりだ、この 酒さけは 飲のむに 値あたいする 最さい高級こうきゅう品ひんだ。
It’s on me; this liquor is a top-shelf product worthy of drinking.

裏うら社会しゃかいで 生いき残のこるには、信頼しんらいに 値あたいする 仲間なかまが 必要ひつようだ。
To survive in the underworld, you need comrades worthy of trust.


Stay dangerous.

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