甲斐がある【かいがある】

甲斐がある (かいがある) expresses that something was worth doing or that one's efforts paid off. It conveys a sense of reward or fulfillment – the feeling that the time, energy, or hardship invested has produced a meaningful result.

Basic usage

甲斐がある typically attaches to the stem of a verb (the ます-form without ます), or to a noun describing an action or effort.

Verb connection patterns

甲斐がある can follow verbs in several forms:

• V[た] + 甲斐がある / 甲斐があって: Describes a completed action whose effort was rewarded.

  がんばった頑張ったかいがあった甲斐があった。

  It was worth the effort.

• V[dictionary form] + 甲斐がある: Describes something that is generally worth doing.

  このしごと仕事はやるかいがある甲斐がある。

  This job is worth doing.

• V[ます stem] + 甲斐がある: Often seen as a compound-like expression.

  このえいが映画はみがい見甲斐がある。

  This movie is worth watching.

Common set expressions

Several fixed expressions use 甲斐:

• 生き甲斐 (いきがい): something worth living for; one's purpose in life
• やり甲斐 (やりがい): something worth doing; a sense of fulfillment from work
• 努力の甲斐もなく: despite one's efforts (used when the effort did not pay off)

Negative: 甲斐がない

When the effort was not worth it or produced no result, use 甲斐がない.

Nuance

甲斐がある carries a positive emotional tone – gratitude, satisfaction, or relief that one's investment was meaningful. It is used when reflecting on past effort and its outcome. The negative form 甲斐がない expresses disappointment or futility.