甲斐性(かいしょう)

かいしょう
noun
competence; capability; reliability (as a provider)
personabstract
1. competence; capability; reliability; ability to provide
The quality of being capable and reliable, especially in earning a living and supporting a family. Traditionally used to evaluate men as providers, though the concept is broadening in modern usage.
甲斐性(かいしょう)のある男(おとこ)。
A capable, dependable man.
甲斐性(かいしょう)がないと言(い)われた。
I was told I have no gumption.
祖母(そぼ)は「甲斐性(かいしょう)のない男(おとこ)とだけは結婚(けっこん)するな」とよく言(い)っていた。
My grandmother often said, "Whatever you do, don't marry a man with no gumption."

Also written 甲斐性(かいしょ) (shorter reading). Derives from 甲斐(かい) (worth, effect) + 性(しょう) (nature, character).

Usage

甲斐性(かいしょう) is a somewhat old-fashioned word that evaluates a person's practical competence — their ability to earn money, manage a household, and be a dependable provider. It appears most often in the negative: 甲斐性(かいしょう)なし or 甲斐性(かいしょう)がない (lacking competence, unreliable). While traditionally applied to men as breadwinners, it can be used for anyone's ability to get things done and be self-sufficient.

Common collocations

  • 甲斐性(かいしょう)がある: to be capable, dependable
  • 甲斐性(かいしょう)がない: to be incompetent, unreliable
  • 甲斐性(かいしょう)なし: a good-for-nothing
  • 甲斐性(かいしょう)のある人(ひと): a capable, reliable person

Similar words

  • 器量(きりょう): ability, caliber — a person's capacity and character; in older usage, also means facial attractiveness
  • 頼(たの)もしい: dependable, reassuring — an adjective describing someone you can count on
  • 能力(のうりょく): ability, capability — a neutral, modern term for skills and abilities without the traditional provider connotation

Related Words

Compare: 器量(きりょう) (ability, caliber)
Compare: 頼(たの)もしい (dependable, reassuring)
Compare: 能力(のうりょく) (ability, capability)
general
Added 2026.4.18 19:32 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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