Grammar › Perspective & Scope
に及ばない — “doesn't reach the level of, no need to”
Says either that one thing falls short of another, or that an action isn't necessary
Noun + に及ばない has two related senses: comparing two things, it says one doesn't measure up to the other (“doesn't come close to X”); attached after a verb, it says an action isn't necessary — a formal cousin of までもない. Both senses share the core idea of “not reaching” some bar.
How to form it
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Noun + に及ばない (comparison) | 経験では彼に及ばない — In experience, I don't come close to him |
| Verb + には及ばない (unnecessary) | 心配するには及ばない — There's no need to worry |
Example sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 実力では彼女に及ばない。 | じつりょくではかのじょにおよばない。 jitsuryokudehakanojonioyobanai。 | In terms of skill, I don't measure up to her. |
| わざわざ来ていただくには及びません。 | わざわざきていただくにはおよびません。 wazawazakiteitadakunihaoyobimasen。 | There's no need for you to go out of your way to come. |
| 今さら謝るには及ばない。 | いまさらあやまるにはおよばない。 imasaraayamarunihaoyobanai。 | There's no need to apologize at this point. |
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Watch out
に及ばない's “unnecessary” sense is close to までもない, but leans more formal and often appears in polite refusals (お気遣いには及びません) — don't confuse it with the separate comparison sense (falling short); context makes clear which is meant.