に足る
To be worthy of, To be enough, To be sufficient
Structure
Noun (A) + に足る + Noun (B)
Explanation
The う-Verb 足る, which means 'to be sufficient', can be combined with に and another word to express that something is 'deserving of (A)' or 'worth (A)'. Because this grammar pattern is quite formal, it is most often encountered in written text or formal addresses.
に足る is attached to nouns or verbs in their dictionary form. In this construction, 足る will also always be in its dictionary form and must be followed by another noun that it describes as being worthy of the preceding action or state.
- この本は読むに足る内容だと聞いた。I heard this book's content is worth reading.
- 彼の研究は評価に足る成果を上げた。His research produced results worthy of praise.
Caution
When using a noun that can be turned into a verb with する, に足る can either follow する or be attached directly to the noun itself. Choosing to include する tends to place a greater emphasis on the action of (A).
- この料理は値段が高いが、満足に足る味だった。This dish is expensive, but the flavor was satisfying enough.
- この料理は値段が高いが、満足するに足る味だった。This dish is expensive, but the flavor was satisfying enough.
Caution
To say that something is 'not worth (A)', you cannot conjugate 足る into its negative form に足りない. Instead, the negation must be applied to the noun or verb that follows the grammar pattern.
- あの人の話は信頼に足りない内容だ。What that person said is not worthy of trust. (Unnatural Japanese)
- あの人の話は信頼に足る内容ではない。What that person said is not worthy of trust.
Examples
あの政治家は信用に足る人物だとは到底思えない。
I can't possibly think that politician is a creditworthy individual.
彼が監督した新作は、わざわざ映画館へ行って観るに足る作品だった。
The new film he directed was a work worth going all the way to the movie theater to see.
その問題は、わざわざ会議で議論するに足ることではないと思う。
I don't think that issue is important enough to discuss in a meeting.
彼を採用するに足る十分な理由が見つからなかった。
We couldn't find a sufficient reason to hire him.
彼女こそ、私の人生のパートナーとして信頼に足る人物だ。
She is without a doubt a trustworthy person to be my life partner.
あの評論家の意見は、傾聴するに足る。
That critic's opinion is worth listening to carefully.
彼がこのチームのリーダーに足る人物かどうか、この仕事で見極めよう。
Let's determine with this job whether or not he is a person worthy of leading this team.
この古文書は、当時の生活を知る上で、参照するに足る貴重な史料だ。
This ancient document is a valuable historical source worth referencing to learn about life in that era.
このレストランは値段は少し高いですが、友人に推薦するに足る味です。
This restaurant is a little pricey, but its flavor is good enough to recommend to a friend.
彼の言うことは中身がなく、取り上げるに足るものではない。
What he says has no substance and is not worth taking seriously.
長年の研究の末、ようやく満足するに足る結果を得ることができた。
After many years of research, I was finally able to obtain a satisfactory result.
彼女は若いが、この重要なプロジェクトを任せるに足る能力がある。
Although she is young, she has enough ability to be entrusted with this important project.