Meaning and Usage
The verb 足りる (たりる) means "to be sufficient" or "to be enough." It is commonly used to express that a quantity, amount, or degree meets the necessary requirement without shortage.
Common Contexts
足りる is often used with money, time, materials, or abstract concepts like patience or strength. It can be used in both positive statements (something is enough) and negative forms (something is not enough).
Collocations and Patterns
- お金が足りる: money is enough
- 時間が足りない: not enough time
- 〜に足りる: to be sufficient for ~ (e.g., 力に足りる - enough strength for)
- 足りなくなる: to become insufficient
Register and Politeness
足りる is a standard verb used in everyday conversation and writing. It is neutral in politeness and can be combined with polite forms like 足ります.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 足りる with 足す (たす), which means "to add." Remember, 足りる is about sufficiency, while 足す is about increasing quantity.
Summary
Use 足りる when you want to say something is enough or sufficient. It is a useful verb for daily situations involving quantities, time, money, and other measurable things.