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LingakuLingaku[verb (dictionary form)] + に足りない / に足らない
[noun] + に足りない / に足らない
Often used with verbs like 取る, 論ずる, 信ずる, 語る, 驚く, 恐れる, etc. Common fixed expression: 取るに足りない (not worth taking up; trivial)
The expression に足らない (or に足りない) attaches to a noun or verb dictionary form to convey that something is not worth doing or not worthy of a particular action or consideration. It is a formal, literary expression frequently encountered in written Japanese and formal speech.
The two forms にたらない足らない and にたりない足りない are largely interchangeable, though にたらない足らない tends to sound slightly more classical and literary. Both use the verb たりる足りる / たる足る ("to suffice, to be worthy") in the negative.
The most common pattern is Verb (dictionary form) + に足らない / に足りない, meaning "not worth doing."
When used with a noun, the pattern becomes Noun + に足らない / に足りない, meaning the noun is unworthy of consideration or attention.
The fixed phrase とる取るにたらない足らない ("trivial, insignificant") is extremely common and often functions as a set expression modifying a noun.
This grammar point carries a dismissive tone – it implies that the subject does not even meet the minimum threshold to deserve attention, effort, or concern. Because of its formal register, it is more common in essays, news commentary, literary works, and formal speeches than in everyday casual conversation.