役(やく)に立(た)つ

やくにたつ
verb (godan)
to be useful, to be helpful
1. to be useful, to be helpful
To serve a purpose or provide benefit. A compound expression meaning 'to stand in a role.'
この辞書(じしょ)は役(やく)に立(た)つ。
This dictionary is useful.
何(なに)かお役(やく)に立(た)てることはありますか。
Is there anything I can help you with?
Polite offer of help
旅行(りょこう)で覚(おぼ)えた簡単(かんたん)な日本語(にほんご)が、思(おも)った以上(いじょう)に役(やく)に立(た)った。
The simple Japanese I learned on my trip was more useful than I expected.

TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). Pattern: Xが役(やく)に立(た)つ (X is useful) / Xの役(やく)に立(た)つ (be useful for X).

ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing state. 役(やく)に立(た)っている = 'is being useful.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 役(やく)に立(た)つ (is useful)
  • 役(やく)に立(た)たない (is useless)
  • お役(やく)に立(た)てる (can be of use—potential, humble)
  • 役(やく)に立(た)てて嬉(うれ)しい (glad to be of help)

COMPOUND: 役(やく) (role) + に + 立(た)つ (to stand) = 'to stand in a useful role'

POLITE VARIATIONS:

  • お役(やく)に立(た)てれば幸(さいわ)いです (I'd be happy if I can be of help)
  • お役(やく)に立(た)てて光栄(こうえい)です (It's an honor to be of service)
general
Added 2026.1.8 21:01 · Revised 2026.3.5 22:53
01000/01130_yakunitatsu