JLPT N1 Grammar: ～に値する / ～に値しない | To Be Worthy / Not Worthy

By ProDev Teach | Updated: May 2025

???? Meaning & Usage

The grammar pattern ～に値する means “to be worthy of” or “deserving of,” and its negative form ～に値しない means “not worthy of” or “undeserving of.”

Structure:

• Noun / Verb (dictionary form) + に値する
• Noun / Verb (dictionary form) + に値しない

Usage Context:

• Often used in formal speech or writing
• Common with abstract nouns like “respect,” “trust,” “praise,” or “criticism”

???? Example Sentences

• 彼の勇気ある行動は賞賛に値する。
  His courageous actions are worthy of praise.
• その意見は真剣に検討するに値する。
  That opinion deserves serious consideration.
• 彼の行いは信頼に値しない。
  His behavior is not worthy of trust.
• そんな噂は聞くに値しない。
  That kind of rumor is not worth listening to.

???? Grammar Notes

The verb 値する (あたいする) is a formal word meaning “to deserve” or “to be worth.” It is commonly paired with abstract nouns. In negative form (～に値しない), it is often used to dismiss something as not being worthy of attention, trust, or respect.

Common Collocations:

• 賞賛に値する (worthy of praise)
• 信頼に値する／しない (worthy / unworthy of trust)
• 批判に値する (deserving of criticism)
• 注目に値する (worthy of attention)

✏️ Practice Exercises

1. Fill in the blanks

1. その功績は賞賛（　　　）。
2. 彼の嘘は信頼（　　　）。
3. この提案は検討（　　　）。
4. そんな噂は聞く（　　　）。

✔ Answers:

• その功績は賞賛に値する。
• 彼の嘘は信頼に値しない。
• この提案は検討に値する。
• そんな噂は聞くに値しない。

2. Translate into Japanese

1. Her effort is worthy of respect.
2. This rumor is not worth discussing.

✔ Suggested Answers:

• 彼女の努力は尊敬に値する。
• この噂は議論に値しない。

???? Related Grammar

• ～にふさわしい： Suitable for / Appropriate for
• ～に足る： Enough to / Worthy of
• ～に値しない： Not worth doing

???? Summary

• ～に値する = “To be worthy of / Deserving of”
• ～に値しない = “Not worthy of / Undeserving of”
• Level: JLPT N1
• Form: Noun / Verb + に値する・に値しない

thuandao

I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.