やりがいがある
yarigai ga aru
The Japanese phrase for rewarding is やりがいがある (yarigai ga aru).
やりがいがある is most commonly used to describe work, tasks or roles that provide a sense of fulfillment or purpose.
Meaning: giving satisfaction (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the noun やりがい, which is composed of yari (the stem of the verb yaru, meaning "to do") and kai (meaning "value" or "worth"). This is followed by the verb aru (to exist or to have), so the phrase literally means "there is worth in doing it."
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to use this expression to modify a noun directly, such as in the phrase "a rewarding job," the particle ga is often replaced by no to form やりがいのある [noun].
How do you pronounce it?
yarigai ga aru
Did you know?
- In Japanese job interviews, candidates are often asked if they are looking for やりがい in their work. This is a coded way for employers to see if a candidate is willing to work long hours if they find the task meaningful.
- While やりがい is usually positive, the suffix がい can be used to describe things that are specifically worth doing. For example, 生きがい (ikigai) refers to a 'reason for living' or the thing that makes life feel rewarding.
- Although やりがいがある means rewarding, if a task is too easy, it is considered to have no がい. For a Japanese speaker, a task only becomes rewarding when it is challenging enough to require effort.
Examples in context
- ボランティア活動はとても価値のある経験でした。The volunteer work was a very rewarding experience.
- ゴールを達成したときの満足感がたまりません。The sense of satisfaction when achieving a goal is indescribable.
- この仕事はとてもやりがいがある。Kono shigoto wa totemo yarigai ga aru.This job is very rewarding.
- ボランティア活動はやりがいがあると感じます。Borantia katsudou wa yarigai ga aru to kanjimasu.I feel that volunteer work is rewarding.
- やりがいがあるプロジェクトに参加したいです。Yarigai ga aru purojekuto ni sanka shitai desu.I want to participate in a rewarding project.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are discussing their current jobs.
- 美咲 Misaki今の仕事はやりがいがある？Ima no shigoto wa yarigai ga aru?Is your current job rewarding?
- 蓮 Renうん、とてもやりがいがあるよ。Un, totemo yarigai ga aru yo.Yes, it is very rewarding.
- 美咲 Misakiそれはよかったね。Sore wa yokatta ne.That's good to hear.
- 蓮 Ren美咲さんの仕事はどう？Misaki-san no shigoto wa dou?How about your job, Misaki?
