には及ばない ②
To be no match (for), To not compare (with), To fall short (of), To not reach, Cannot win with, To be out of reach (for), To not be on par (with)
Structure
Set expression:
Noun + の足元にも及ばない
(1) に
Explanation
While には及ばない can be used as a polite phrase as seen in its own lesson, it can also be used to indicate that something falls short of a certain standard. It is most often seen when drawing a comparison between two items. This grammar pattern is formed by the particle に, the topic particle は, and 及ばない, which is the negative form of the verb 及ぶ ('to measure up to', 'to be a match for'). A direct translation would be 'does not reach the level of (A)'.
This particular meaning is used following a noun. When used for comparisons, it can be translated into English as 'can't compare to (A)', 'is not as good as (A)', or 'doesn't come close to (A)'.
- 私の日本語はネイティブには及ばないけれど、日常会話ならできる。My Japanese can't compare to a native speaker's, but I can handle everyday conversations.
- このスマホはアップルの製品には及ばないが、値段のわりに性能がいい。This smartphone isn't as good as an Apple product, but for the price, its performance is great.
- 彼女は速く走れるが、オリンピック選手には及ばない。She can run fast, but she's not on par with an Olympic athlete.
The thing being compared to, (A), is often something that is highly esteemed or of exceptional quality. Because of this, the fixed expression (A) の足元には及ばない, which literally means 'to not even reach the feet of (A)', is frequently used to emphasize the large gap in skill or quality.
- 私の絵は、まだまだ先生の足元には及ばない。My paintings still don't even come close to my teacher's.
Examples
この模写はかなり上手に描けているが、巨匠の原画には及ばない。
This copy is drawn quite well, but it's no match for the master's original painting.
「うちのチームの実力では、全国チャンピオンには及ばないだろう。」
'At our team's level, we're probably no match for the national champions.'
この旧型モデルもまだ使えるが、性能は最新モデルには及ばない。
While this old model is still usable, its performance is not on par with the newest model.
歌手：「私の歌声は、まだ伝説のディーバには及ばないが、いつか超えてみせる。」
Singer: 'My singing voice is no match for the legendary diva's yet, but I'll surpass her someday.'
「どんなに努力しても、天才である兄には及ばないと感じてしまう。」
'No matter how hard I try, I feel like I'm no match for my genius older brother.'
Ａ：「田中さんのフランス語は流暢だね。」
Ｂ：「うん。でも、ネイティブの発音には及ばないと本人は言っていたよ。」
A: 'Tanaka-san's French is so fluent.'
B: 'Yeah. But he himself said that it's not on par with a native speaker's pronunciation.'
社員：「私の企画書など、部長の足元にも及びません。」
Employee: ‘My project proposal doesn't even come close to the department head’s.’
数学の成績では彼には及ばないが、歴史なら負けない。
When it comes to math grades I'm no match for him, but I won't lose in history.
この町の夜景もきれいですが、やはり函館の夜景には及びませんね。
The night view in this town is pretty, but it just can't compare to the view from Hakodate.
客：「コンビニのコーヒーも美味しくなったけど、専門店の味には及ばないね。」
Customer: ‘Convenience store coffee has gotten good, but it's nothing compared to the taste of a specialty shop's, you know?’
彼はプログラミングの天才だ。経験においても発想力においても、誰も彼には及ばない。
He's a programming genius. When it comes to both experience and creativity, nobody can touch him.
彼のチェスの腕前は大したものだが、世界チャンピオンのレベルには遠く及ばない。
His chess skills are impressive, but they don't even come close to the level of the world champion.
今年の売上は過去最高でしたが、業界トップのA社には及びませんでした。
This year's sales were the highest we've ever had, but we still could not match Company A, the industry leader.