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B1 verb #2,500 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

足りる

tariru
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 足りる en 30 secondes
Explication 足りる in your Level:
At the A1 level, you use 'tariru' in its simplest form to talk about physical objects and money. You learn that 'ga tariru' means 'is enough.' Most beginners focus on the negative form 'tarinai' because it's very useful for saying 'I don't have enough money' or 'I don't have enough time.' You will mostly use it with nouns like 'okane' (money), 'mizu' (water), and 'jikan' (time). The focus is on basic survival and shopping scenarios. You should learn the polite form 'tarimasu' and the plain form 'tariru' to understand basic questions from shopkeepers or friends. For example, 'Kore de tarimasu ka?' (Is this enough?) is a key phrase for beginners to master when paying for things or sharing food.
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At the A2 level, you start using 'tariru' to describe more varied daily situations. You begin to use the particle 'de' to say 'enough with [amount].' For example, 'Sen-en de tarimasu' (1000 yen is enough). You also learn to use the past tense 'tarinakatta' to explain why something didn't happen, such as 'Jikan ga tarinakatta kara, shukudai ga dekimasen deshita' (Because there wasn't enough time, I couldn't do the homework). You also start to see 'tariru' used with abstract nouns like 'renshuu' (practice) or 'setsumei' (explanation). Your understanding of the word moves from just 'having things' to 'meeting requirements' for simple tasks.
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At the B1 level (Intermediate), you use 'tariru' more naturally in complex sentences. You understand the nuance between 'tariru' and 'maniau' (to be in time/to suffice). You can use 'tariru' to discuss resources in a work or study environment, such as manpower (hitode) or information (jouhou). You also start using the conditional form 'tarireba' (if it's enough) and the potential-like usage of 'tariru' to mean 'to be worthy of.' You are expected to use the te-form 'tarite iru' to describe a current state of sufficiency. You also begin to recognize the word in slightly more formal contexts, like news reports about shortages or surpluses.
At the B2 level, you use 'tariru' to express subtle qualitative judgments. You might use it to say someone's 'courage' or 'determination' is insufficient. You also become comfortable with the grammar 'V-ru ni wa tariru' (enough to do V). You can distinguish between 'tariru' and more formal synonyms like 'juuzoku suru' or 'mitasu.' You use 'tariru' in professional settings to discuss project feasibility and resource allocation. You also start to notice the word in literature where it might take the form 'taru.' Your usage becomes more idiomatic, and you can explain the difference between 'not enough' (tarinai) and 'lacking a piece' (kakeru).
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At the C1 level, you master the formal and idiomatic uses of 'tariru' and its root 'taru.' You use phrases like 'shinzuru ni taru' (worthy of belief) or 'iu ni tarinai' (not worth mentioning). You understand the philosophical implications of 'sufficiency' in Japanese culture, such as the concept of 'ware tada taru wo shiru' (I only know that I am sufficient/content). You can use the word in academic writing to describe data sufficiency or theoretical adequacy. Your vocabulary includes various compound words and yojijukugo (four-character idioms) that involve the kanji for 'tari-.' You can navigate high-level business negotiations where 'sufficiency' is a key legal or contractual term.
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At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'tariru' in all its forms, including archaic and highly specialized contexts. You can appreciate the nuances of 'tariru' in classical Japanese poetry or legal documents. You use the word with perfect precision, choosing it over synonyms to convey exact shades of meaning. You can discuss the etymology of the kanji and how its meaning shifted from 'foot' to 'sufficiency.' You are capable of using 'tariru' in creative writing to evoke specific moods or character traits. You understand the most obscure idioms and can use the word to make sophisticated puns or rhetorical points in high-level discourse.
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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

足りる en 30 secondes

  • Tariru means 'to be enough' and is a common B1-level Ichidan verb used for resources like time and money.
  • It is intransitive, meaning the resource itself is the subject (e.g., 'Okane ga tariru').
  • The negative form 'tarinai' is extremely common and acts like an i-adjective in many contexts.
  • In formal Japanese, 'taru' is used to mean 'worthy of' (e.g., 'shinzuru ni taru').

The Japanese verb 足りる (tariru) is a fundamental Ichidan verb that translates to 'to be enough' or 'to be sufficient.' At its core, it describes a state where the quantity, quality, or capacity of something meets the required threshold for a specific purpose. Unlike the English word 'enough,' which can function as an adjective or adverb, tariru is strictly a verb, though its negative form 足りない (tarinai) frequently functions like an i-adjective in everyday speech. Understanding this word is crucial for navigating daily life in Japan, from checking if you have enough change for the bus to expressing that your skills are sufficient for a job role.

Grammatical Category
Ichidan Verb (Group 2 / Ru-verb)
Transitivity
Intransitive (The subject is what is sufficient)
Kanji Origin
足 (Foot/Leg) - Historically related to 'stepping' or 'reaching' a point.

「お金が足りるか心配です。」

— I am worried if the money will be enough.

When we look at the kanji 足, we usually think of 'foot' or 'leg.' However, in the context of tariru, it represents the idea of a 'stand' or 'support' that is complete. If you have all the legs needed for a table, the table is sufficient. This conceptual link helps learners remember that tariru isn't just about numbers; it's about the completeness of a set or the adequacy of a resource. In B1 level Japanese, you move beyond simple physical quantities (like water or food) and start using tariru for abstract concepts like time, courage, or explanation depth.

「説明が足りないので、分かりません。」

— The explanation is insufficient, so I don't understand.
Semantic Range
Covers physical items, abstract resources, and qualitative standards.
Politeness Levels
Tariru (Plain), Tarimasu (Polite), Tarimasen (Negative Polite).

「これで足りますか？」

— Is this enough? (Handing over items or money)

In formal contexts, tariru can be replaced by 充足する (juuzoku suru) or 十分である (juubun de aru), but tariru remains the most versatile and natural choice for spoken and standard written Japanese. It is a 'state-of-being' verb in many ways, describing the relationship between what is available and what is needed. If the gap is zero or positive, you use tariru. If the gap is negative, you use tarinai.

「時間は十分足りています。」

— We have sufficient time (The time is sufficing).

Using 足りる (tariru) correctly involves understanding its particle patterns and conjugation. Since it is an intransitive verb, the thing that is 'enough' is marked by the particle が (ga). For example, mizu ga tariru (water is enough). When you want to specify what the resource is enough for, you use the particle で (de) or the phrase 〜には (ni wa).

  • Basic Pattern: [Noun] + が + 足りる
  • Purpose Pattern: [Purpose] + には + [Noun] + が + 足りる
  • Instrumental Pattern: [Amount] + で + 足りる (To be enough with [amount])

「1000円で足ります。」

— 1000 yen will be enough (I can manage with 1000 yen).

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers is trying to use tariru as a transitive verb (e.g., 'I enough money'). In Japanese, the money is the actor that performs the 'sufficing.' Therefore, you never 'tariru' something; something 'tariru' for you. Conjugation-wise, as an Ichidan verb, it is very stable: tariru, tarinai, tarita, tarinakatta. The te-form tarite is often used with iru to describe a continuous state of sufficiency.

Potential Form
足れる (tareru) - rarely used, as 'sufficiency' is usually a state, not an ability.
Causative Form
足りさせる (tarisaseru) - to make something be enough.
Conditional Form
足りれば (tarireba) - if it is enough.

「もし材料が足りれば、ケーキを作ります。」

— If the ingredients are enough, I will make a cake.

In B1 grammar, you will encounter the structure 〜で足りる to express that a certain amount or tool is sufficient to complete a task. This is slightly different from ga tariru because it focuses on the means rather than the subject. For instance, 'A simple 'sorry' will suffice' would be ayamari dake de tariru. This highlights the efficiency of the action.

「この量で足りますか？」

— Is this amount sufficient?

You will encounter 足りる (tariru) in almost every facet of Japanese life. In retail and restaurants, staff might ask if the amount of food or the number of seats is sufficient. In business meetings, it is used to discuss resources, budget, and time. In casual conversations, it often appears in the negative to complain about a lack of sleep (suimin-busoku or suimin ga tarinai) or a lack of effort.

「寝不足だ。昨日、睡眠時間が足りなかったんだ。」

— I'm sleep-deprived. I didn't get enough sleep yesterday.

In Anime and Drama, characters often use tariru to express deep emotional or existential lacks. A villain might say a hero's 'conviction' is tarinai (insufficient), or a protagonist might realize they don't have enough 'strength' to protect someone. These contexts elevate the word from a simple mathematical sufficiency to a qualitative judgment of character or willpower.

At the Supermarket
Checking if you have enough bags or points on your card.
In the Classroom
The teacher asking if everyone has enough handouts.
In News Reports
Discussing energy shortages or labor shortages (hitode-busoku).

「このプロジェクトには、まだ人手が足りません。」

— We still don't have enough manpower for this project.

Interestingly, in Classical Literature or formal idioms, you might see the shortened form 足る (taru). For example, shinzuru ni taru (worthy of belief). While tariru is the standard modern form, taru persists in fixed expressions that sound more sophisticated or archaic. Hearing taru in a modern anime usually indicates a character who speaks with gravitas or follows an old-fashioned code.

「努力が足りないと言われました。」

— I was told my effort was insufficient.

The most frequent error is the Transitivity Trap. English speakers often want to say 「私はお金を足ります」 (I enough money). This is grammatically incorrect in Japanese. You must say 「お金が足ります」 (Money is enough). The focus is always on the resource itself, not the person possessing it.

❌ 私は時間が足りる。
✅ 時間が足りる。

— The subject should be the resource, not 'I'.

Another mistake is confusing 足りる (tariru) with 十分 (juubun). While they both mean 'enough,' juubun is a Na-adjective/Adverb, whereas tariru is a verb. You can say juubun desu (It is sufficient), but you cannot say tariru desu (incorrect grammar; use tarimasu or tariru). Using a verb where an adjective is expected, or vice versa, makes the Japanese sound unnatural.

Mistake: Overusing 'Tariru' for Satisfaction
If you are full after a meal, don't say 'tariru'. Say 'onaka ga ippai' or 'manzoku'. 'Tariru' is about quantity, not the feeling of being satisfied.
Mistake: Confusing with 'Maniau'
If you are asking if a small amount of money is 'okay' for a purchase, 'maniau' is often more natural than 'tariru'.

❌ 満足が足りる。
✅ 満足している。

— You don't 'enough' satisfaction; you 'are' satisfied.

Finally, watch out for the conjugation of the negative form. Because tarinai looks and acts like an i-adjective, learners sometimes forget it's technically the negative form of a verb. This matters when you want to say 'it wasn't enough.' You should say 足りなかった (tarinakatta), not 足りないでした.

To truly master 足りる (tariru), you must distinguish it from its synonyms. The most common related word is 十分 (juubun). While tariru is a verb focusing on the state of meeting a requirement, juubun is an adjective that emphasizes 'plenty' or 'more than enough.' If you have exactly what you need, tariru is perfect. If you have an abundance, juubun is better.

間に合う (maniau)
To be in time, or to be 'good enough' for a temporary situation. 'This 100 yen will do for now.'
充足する (juuzoku suru)
Formal/Academic term for 'to be satisfied' or 'to be filled' (e.g., meeting demand).
満たす (mitasu)
Transitive verb: 'To satisfy' or 'to fill up' (e.g., satisfying requirements).

「このペンで間に合います。」

— This pen will suffice (it's good enough for the task).

Another word often confused is 適する (tekisuru), which means 'to be suitable.' While something that is suitable might also be sufficient, tekisuru focuses on the quality and fit, whereas tariru focuses on the quantity and adequacy. For example, a small car might tariru (be enough) for a trip, but it might not tekisuru (be suitable) if you are driving through rough mountains.

「条件を満たしています。」

— It satisfies the conditions (Formal).

Lastly, consider 欠ける (kakeru), which is the opposite of being sufficient in a qualitative sense. If a team is 'lacking' a leader, you use kakeru. If the team 'doesn't have enough' members, you use tarinai. Tarinai is the most common way to express any kind of 'not enough' in daily life.

How Formal Is It?

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

〜には (for the purpose of)

〜かどうか (whether or not)

〜だけで (with just)

〜るに足る (worthy of doing)

〜が足りない (to lack something)

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Exemples par niveau

1

お金が足りますか？

Is the money enough?

Basic 'ga' particle usage.

2

水が足りないです。

There is not enough water.

Negative form used as an adjective.

3

これで足ります。

This is enough.

'Kore de' indicates 'with this'.

4

時間が足りません。

There is no time left / Time is not enough.

Polite negative form.

5

塩が足りますか？

Is there enough salt?

Question form.

6

パンが足りない。

There isn't enough bread.

Plain negative form.

7

椅子が足ります。

There are enough chairs.

Simple affirmative.

8

チケットが足りない！

Not enough tickets!

Exclamatory use.

1

1000円で足りますか？

Is 1000 yen enough?

'De' particle showing means/amount.

2

練習が足りなかったから負けました。

We lost because we didn't practice enough.

Past negative 'tarinakatta'.

3

この料理、塩が足りないね。

This dish needs more salt, doesn't it?

Informal 'ne' particle.

4

5人なら、この部屋で足ります。

If it's 5 people, this room is sufficient.

Conditional 'nara'.

5

説明が足りなくて、すみません。

I'm sorry for the insufficient explanation.

Te-form for reason.

6

牛乳が足りるか見てください。

Please check if there is enough milk.

'Ka' particle for indirect question.

7

昨日、睡眠が足りませんでした。

I didn't get enough sleep yesterday.

Polite past negative.

8

これだけで足ります。他はいりません。

Just this is enough. I don't need anything else.

'Dake de' meaning 'with just'.

1

この予算で足りるかどうか、計算しましょう。

Let's calculate whether this budget will be enough or not.

'Ka dou ka' (whether or not).

2

今の実力では、合格するには足りない。

With my current ability, it's not enough to pass.

'Ni wa' (for the purpose of).

3

人手が足りなくて、仕事が終わりません。

We are short-staffed, so the work won't finish.

'Hitode' (manpower) as subject.

4

言葉だけでは足りない。行動で示して。

Words alone are not enough. Show it with actions.

Abstract usage.

5

準備は足りていますか？

Are the preparations sufficient?

Te-iru form for state.

6

経験が足りないのが私の弱点です。

My lack of experience is my weakness.

Nominalized 'no' with 'tarinai'.

7

この資料で説明は足りますか？

Is this document sufficient for the explanation?

Using a tool (shiryou) to suffice.

8

足りない分は、私が払います。

I will pay the remaining (insufficient) part.

'Tarinai bun' (the missing part).

1

彼の説明は、納得するには足りなかった。

His explanation was not enough to convince me.

Qualitative sufficiency.

2

この程度の証拠では、彼を疑うには足りない。

This level of evidence is not enough to suspect him.

Legal/Logical sufficiency.

3

成功するには、才能だけでなく努力も足りる必要がある。

To succeed, not just talent but effort must also be sufficient.

Complex conditional.

4

物資が足りている地域と、そうでない地域がある。

There are regions where supplies are sufficient and regions where they are not.

Relative clause.

5

一言で足りることを、彼は長く話しすぎた。

He spoke too long about something that could have been said in one word.

Noun modification.

6

資金が足りれば、新しい店を出したい。

If the funds are sufficient, I want to open a new shop.

Conditional 'reba'.

7

今の体制では、安全性が足りないという指摘があった。

It was pointed out that the current system lacks safety.

Reporting a lack of quality.

8

勇気が足りなくて、彼女に声をかけられなかった。

I didn't have enough courage to talk to her.

Emotional resource.

1

その情報は、信頼するに足りるものだった。

That information was something worthy of trust.

V-ru ni taru (worthy of).

2

取るに足りない問題ですから、気にしないでください。

It's a trivial (not worth taking up) problem, so please don't worry.

Idiom: 'toru ni tarinai'.

3

彼の功績は、称賛するに足りる。

His achievements are worthy of praise.

Formal 'ni taru'.

4

一瞥するに足りない作品だ。

It's a work not even worth a glance.

Literary/Critical usage.

5

現代社会において、真実を知るだけでは足りない。

In modern society, just knowing the truth is not enough.

Philosophical usage.

6

この程度の失敗は、絶望するに足りない。

This level of failure is not enough to cause despair.

Resilience context.

7

言うに足りない些細な出来事だ。

It's a trivial incident not worth mentioning.

Idiom: 'iu ni tarinai'.

8

その理論は、事象を説明するに足りる整合性を持っている。

The theory has enough consistency to explain the phenomena.

Academic usage.

1

足るを知る者は富む。

He who knows he has enough is rich.

Classical proverb (Laozi).

2

万策尽きたが、一縷の望みを繋ぐにはこれで足りる。

I've exhausted all options, but this is enough to maintain a glimmer of hope.

Dramatic/Literary.

3

彼の言動は、紳士と呼ぶに足りる品格を備えている。

His behavior possesses the dignity worthy of being called a gentleman.

High-level character description.

4

この程度の反論は、私の決意を揺るがすには足りない。

This level of counter-argument is insufficient to shake my resolve.

Rhetorical usage.

5

充足の極みに達し、もはや何も足りないものはない。

Having reached the height of fulfillment, there is no longer anything lacking.

Philosophical/Existential.

6

その証言は、有罪を宣告するに足りる決定的なものだった。

The testimony was decisive enough to pronounce a guilty verdict.

Legal precision.

7

不足を嘆くより、足りているものに目を向けるべきだ。

Rather than lamenting what is lacking, one should look at what is sufficient.

Moral advice.

8

それは、歴史の闇に葬り去るには足りないほどの巨大な真実だ。

It is a truth so massive that it cannot be buried in the darkness of history.

Literary hyperbole.

Collocations courantes

お金が足りる (money is enough)
時間が足りる (time is enough)
人数が足りる (number of people is enough)
経験が足りる (experience is enough)
証拠が足りる (evidence is enough)
100円で足りる (enough with 100 yen)
説明が足りない (explanation is insufficient)
努力が足りない (effort is insufficient)
睡眠が足りない (sleep is insufficient)
準備が足りない (preparation is insufficient)

Phrases Courantes

これで足りますか？ (Is this enough?)
全然足りない (Not enough at all)
ちょっと足りない (A little bit short)
足りない分を補う (To make up for the shortage)
言うに足りない (Not worth mentioning)
信頼に足りる (Worthy of trust)
満足に足りる (Sufficient for satisfaction)
事足りる (To be enough to get by)
何かが足りない (Something is missing)
一言で足りる (One word is enough)

Souvent confondu avec

足りる vs 間に合う (maniau) - Focuses on time or temporary utility.

足りる vs 十分 (juubun) - An adjective meaning 'plenty'.

足りる vs 満足 (manzoku) - Focuses on the feeling of satisfaction.

Expressions idiomatiques

"取るに足りない (toru ni tarinai) - Trivial; not worth considering"
"言うに足りない (iu ni tarinai) - Not worth mentioning"
"足るを知る (taru wo shiru) - To be content with what one has"
"信ずるに足りる (shinzuru ni taru) - Worthy of belief; credible"
"恐れるに足りない (osoreru ni tarinai) - Nothing to be afraid of"
"満足するに足りる (manzoku suru ni tariru) - Enough to satisfy"
"一瞥に足りない (ichibetsu ni tarinai) - Not worth a glance"
"議論に足りない (giron ni tarinai) - Not worth arguing about"
"推奨するに足りる (suishou suru ni tariru) - Worthy of recommendation"
"驚くに足りない (odoroku ni tarinai) - No surprise; not worth being surprised"

Facile à confondre

足りる vs 足る (taru)

足りる vs 足りる (tariru)

足りる vs 足す (tasu)

足りる vs 足りない (tarinai)

足りる vs 充足 (juuzoku)

Structures de phrases

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Comment l'utiliser

transitivity

Always intransitive. The thing that is enough is the subject.

negative form

Tarinai is often used as an adjective-like modifier: 'Tarinai jikan' (The insufficient time).

Erreurs courantes
  • Using 'wo' instead of 'ga'.
  • Using 'tariru' for emotional satisfaction instead of 'manzoku'.
  • Conjugating 'tarinai' as 'tarinai deshita' instead of 'tarinakatta'.
  • Confusing 'tariru' with 'maniau' in time-sensitive contexts.
  • Using 'tariru' to describe a person's ability (use 'dekiru' or 'nouryoku ga aru').

Astuces

Particle Choice

Use 'ga' for the resource and 'de' for the limit/amount.

Negative Usage

You will use 'tarinai' 80% of the time compared to 'tariru'.

Zen Philosophy

Remember 'taru wo shiru' to understand the Japanese value of contentment.

Polite Refusal

Saying 'Tarite imasu' is a polite way to decline more of something.

Formal Writing

Use '〜に足る' instead of '〜できる' to sound more professional.

Compound Words

Listen for 'busoku' (shortage) which is the noun form of 'tarinai'.

Subject-Object

Never use 'wo' with 'tariru'. The resource is always the subject.

Tariru vs Juubun

Tariru is 'meeting the line'; Juubun is 'above the line'.

Casual Insult

In very casual slang, 'tarinai' can imply someone is 'not all there' mentally.

Daily Practice

Check your wallet and say 'Okane ga tariru' or 'Okane ga tarinai' every day.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Originally meant 'foot.' In ancient times, the concept of 'standing' or 'reaching' led to the meaning of 'reaching a standard' or 'being complete,' hence 'sufficient.'

Contexte culturel

The phrase 'Ware tada taru wo shiru' is inscribed on the famous stone washbasin at Ryoan-ji Temple in Kyoto.

Using 'tariru' can sometimes sound more humble than 'juubun' (which can sound like 'I have plenty').

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"「最近、睡眠時間は足りていますか？」 (Have you been getting enough sleep lately?)"

"「このプロジェクト、予算は足りると思いますか？」 (Do you think the budget for this project will be enough?)"

"「日本での生活で、何が一番足りないと感じますか？」 (What do you feel is most lacking in your life in Japan?)"

"「一日の時間は24時間で足りますか？」 (Is 24 hours a day enough for you?)"

"「新しいスキルを学ぶのに、今の教材で足りますか？」 (Is your current material enough to learn the new skill?)"

Sujets d'écriture

今日、何が足りないと感じましたか？ (What did you feel was lacking today?)

「足るを知る」という言葉についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about the phrase 'knowing what is enough'?)

将来の夢のために、今何が足りないか書いてください。 (Write about what you lack now to achieve your future dream.)

時間が足りなかった時の経験を書いてください。 (Write about an experience when you didn't have enough time.)

自分にとって「足りる」とはどういう状態ですか？ (What does 'being enough' mean to you?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, you must say 'Money is enough' (Okane ga tariru). The money is the subject.

Tariru is about quantity (Do I have enough water?). Maniau is about time or 'good enough' (Will I be in time? / Is this tool okay?).

Grammatically it is the negative form of a verb, but it functions like an i-adjective in sentences.

Use 'zenzen tarinai'.

Yes, 'hitode ga tariru' means you have enough staff/people.

It means 'not worth mentioning' or 'trivial'.

Yes, 'tarimasu' is the polite form.

Say 'tarinakatta' or 'tarimasen deshita'.

It's better to use 'onaka ga ippai' for being full after eating.

It is a proverb meaning 'to know when one has enough' or 'to be content'.

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