Kotomora
JLPT N1ConstructionWritten
Furigana

にはたらないNot warranted

This construction says that the facts do not justify a particular reaction, judgment, or evaluation. It often means “there is no reason to,” “does not warrant,” or “is not grounds for.”

What it evaluates

The construction evaluates the justification for a response. The speaker first considers the relevant facts, then concludes that surprise, concern, criticism, praise, or another reaction goes further than those facts warrant. It is therefore narrower than a general expression meaning that an action is unnecessary.

Reasoning from the facts

Natural examples usually state or imply the facts that make the reaction unjustified.

うりあげえたのは、さくねんよりこうこくおおはばやしたけっであり、おどろくにたらない

Sales rose because advertising spending was increased substantially from last year, so the increase is no cause for surprise.

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こうつうじゅうたいによるじゅっぷんほどのおくれで、あんぜんじょうもんだいはないため、しんぱいにはたらない

The delay is only about ten minutes and was caused by traffic; there is no safety issue, so there is no cause for concern.

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いちすうしゅうせいひつようだが、けつろんわらないので、ほうこくしょぜんたいなんするにはたらない

Some figures need correcting, but the conclusion remains unchanged, so the report as a whole does not deserve condemnation.

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Same ending, different meaning

After a classification noun, the same-looking ending may simply be the negative of たる, meaning “qualify as” or “fall under.” That is a classification statement, not a judgment that someone’s reaction is unwarranted.

このこうはんざいにはたらない

This act does not constitute a crime.

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This is the separate classification meaning: the act does not fall under the category of a crime.

Formal judgment versus everyday reassurance

にはたらない formally judges whether a reaction is justified. ほどのことではない more conversationally reassures someone by saying that the underlying matter is not serious enough to make a fuss about.

More examples

しょかいけんごうかくだったとしても、まだかいじゅけんできるのだから、らくたんするにはたらない

Even if you failed the first test, you still have two more attempts, so there is no reason to be discouraged.

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しょかんいちわりみじかくなったにすぎず、かってきせいだとばなしでしょうさんするにはたらない

Processing time has merely been reduced by ten percent, so the result does not warrant unreserved praise as a breakthrough.

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そのうわさはとくめいとう稿こうもとづくもので、うらけもないため、どうようするにはたらない

The rumor is based on an anonymous post and has no supporting evidence, so there is no reason to be alarmed.

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そうしんされたりょうはすぐにかいしゅうされ、がいにもりゅうしゅつしていないので、たんとうしゃきびしくめるにはたらない

The mistakenly sent document was recovered immediately and was not leaked outside the organization, so the person responsible does not deserve severe blame.

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こんかいげんしょうはばそくはんないであり、ちょうてきとおしまでかんするにたらない

The size of this decline is within the predicted range, so it does not warrant pessimism about the long-term outlook.

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せいへんこうつづきのかんもくてきとしたもので、ようしゃけんうしなわれるわけではないから、けいかいするにはたらない

The change is intended to simplify procedures and will not remove users’ rights, so it does not warrant excessive alarm.

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