This pattern says that something is not serious enough to warrant a particular reaction or judgment, like saying it's not worth worrying about or not deserving criticism.
Attaches to
Attach to the dictionary form of a verb, or to a noun followed by の (e.g., 非難するには当たらない, 心配するには当たらない, 驚くには当たらない). Also attaches to a noun directly if the noun itself represents an action (e.g., 非難には当たらない, though the verb form is more common).
This is a formal, written-style expression used to say that something does not reach the level of being worth a certain action or feeling. It literally means 'does not hit the mark of ~', so it implies that the reaction would be exaggerated or misplaced. You often see it with words like 驚く (to be surprised), 心配する (to worry), 非難する (to criticize), or 感謝する (to thank). It is a way to reassure someone or dismiss a concern, but in a polite and logical way. For example, if someone apologizes profusely, you can say 謝るには当たらない, meaning 'there's no need to apologize.' The nuance is that the situation is not that serious. It is not used in casual conversation; it sounds like something from a news article, a formal speech, or a business setting. In speech, you might say そんなに心配することはない instead. Note that the negative form には当たらない is the standard pattern; the affirmative には当たる is rare and has a different meaning (to be worthy of ~), so don't mix them up.
今回のミスは、それほど深刻ではないので、彼を責めるには当たらない。
Konkai no misu wa, sorehodo shinkoku de wa nai node, kare o semeru niwa ataranai.
This mistake isn't that serious, so it's not worth blaming him.
彼が遅れたのは初めてだし、怒るには当たらないでしょう。
Kare ga okureta no wa hajimete da shi, okoru niwa ataranai deshou.
It's the first time he's been late, so there's no need to get angry.
この程度の雨なら、試合を中止するには当たらない。
Kono teido no ame nara, shiai o chūshi suru niwa ataranai.
With this level of rain, it's not worth canceling the match.
Not には及ばない
には及ばない also means 'no need to', but it is used for things like apologies, thanks, or worries, and often carries a more polite, humble nuance. には当たらない is more objective, often used in formal reasoning to say something is not deserving of a judgment. For example, 心配には及ばない means 'no need to worry' (reassuring), while 心配するには当たらない means 'it does not warrant worrying' (logical assessment).
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Formal, written language; rarely used in casual conversation, more common in newspapers, essays, and formal speeches.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
には当たらない
📚 How to Master This Pattern
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Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat には当たらない three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
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Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
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Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using には当たらない. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
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Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use には当たらない in a sentence?▼
Attach には当たらない (niwa ataranai) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is には当たらない formal or casual Japanese?▼
には当たらない is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember には当たらない long-term?▼
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.
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