甲斐・詮・効|かいkai[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounresult (that makes an act worthwhile); worth (in doing something); value; effect; use; benefit; avail
   苦心くしんの甲斐かいがあった。↗

   That was well worth the trouble.

• Synonym値打ちねうちNeutralNeutral. The value or worth of things and people, or a good bargain, as in 「値打ちがある」; 「甲斐」 is about the reward of effort, mostly in 「〜甲斐がある」.
• Synonym価値かちNeutralNeutral. Value in the broadest sense, common in everyday speech too; 「甲斐」 focuses on the results gained after effort.
• Related冥利みょうりWrittenWritten/formal. Unseen blessings or favor that come with a position, as in 「役者冥利」; 「甲斐」 is about the payoff of effort.
• Related効き目ききめNeutralNeutral. The effect of a medicine or measure; 「甲斐」 is about effort finally paying off.
• Related効能こうのうWrittenWritten/formal. The efficacy of medicines or hot springs, as in 「温泉の効能」; 「甲斐」 is about the reward and meaning of effort.
• Related効用こうようWrittenWritten/formal. The use or utility of something; 「甲斐」 is about the value of effort spent.
• Related利きききNeutralNeutral. Effectiveness, or one's dominant side, as in 「利き手」; 「甲斐」 is the reward for effort.
• Related効果こうかNeutralNeutral. Effect, in very broad use and common in daily life; 「甲斐」 leans to feeling one's effort was worth it.
• Related利りWrittenWritten/formal. Profit, benefit or gain; 「甲斐」 is about being worth the effort.
• Related実効じっこうWrittenWritten/formal. Actual, practical effect; 「甲斐」 is about effort bringing a reward.
• Related効力こうりょくWrittenWritten/formal. The force or efficacy of laws or medicines; 「甲斐」 is the reward for effort.
• Related益えきWrittenWritten/formal. Benefit or good to people or society; 「甲斐」 leans to effort being worthwhile.
• Related真価しんかWrittenWritten/formal. True value or real worth, as in 「真価を発揮」; 「甲斐」 leans to the reward of effort.
• Related実利じつりWrittenWritten/formal. Actual, material gain; 「甲斐」 can mean material gain or a more spiritual sense of worth.

Use 「甲斐」 for the reward or meaning of effort, as in 「生き甲斐」 and 「努力の甲斐があって」. For the value of things use 「値打ち」 or 「価値」, for a medicine's effect 「効き目」 or 「効能」, and for concrete material gain 「実利」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 何なんかをしたことによって得えられる、価値かちのある成果せいかや手てごたえ。