甲斐甲斐しい
かいがいしい
i-adjective
devoted; diligent; attentive
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 甲斐甲斐しい | 甲斐甲斐しくない |
| Past | 甲斐甲斐しかった | 甲斐甲斐しくなかった |
| て form | 甲斐甲斐しくて | 甲斐甲斐しくなくて |
| Adverbial | 甲斐甲斐しく | — |
| Conditional ば | 甲斐甲斐しければ | 甲斐甲斐しくなければ |
| Conditional たら | 甲斐甲斐しかったら | 甲斐甲斐しくなかったら |
1.
devoted; diligent; attentive; industrious
Working or caring for someone with energetic dedication and attentiveness. Often describes someone bustling about to help or serve others with enthusiasm and care.
Usage
Describes someone bustling about with energetic devotion, usually in looking after someone, housework, or serving guests. Mostly used adverbially:
- 甲斐甲斐しく世話をする: to look after someone devotedly
- 甲斐甲斐しく働く: to work busily and devotedly
- 甲斐甲斐しい姿: the sight of someone bustling about devotedly
Similar words
- まめ: diligent about small tasks and keeping in touch; 甲斐甲斐しい stresses visible, active devotion to someone
- 献身的: self-sacrificing, devoted; more formal and stronger
Etymology
From 甲斐 (worth, effect): working in a way that shows results.