JLPT N2 grammar

〜がいmeaning and usage

Meaning

There's value in doing A; It's worth doing A

How to form it

  • verb (masu-stem)がい
  • verb (masu-stem)がいがある
  • verb (masu-stem)がいのあるnoun

How it is used

After the masu-stem it forms a noun for the value or reward of doing something: 「やりがい」 (sense of purpose), 「生きがい」 (reason for living), 「教えがい」. Common frames are 「〜がいがある」 and 「〜がいのある」 + noun.

Examples

  1. 仕事はやりがいが大事だと思います。

    I think what matters in a job is that it feels worthwhile.

  2. 学生がよく質問してくれるので、教えがいがある。

    My students ask lots of questions, so teaching them is rewarding.

  3. 祖父にとって、庭の花を育てることが生きがいだ。

    For my grandfather, growing flowers in the garden is what he lives for.