Yaku-ni-tatsu is the Japanese word meaning “to be useful” or that something might “come in handy”. The polite form of this verb is “Yaku-ni-tachimasu”.

This common phrase is extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of situations. For example, you can use it to say that a tool is very useful, or you can also use it to describe that a skill will come in handy.

You can also use it in the context of being useful yourself. For example, you might say “Kaisha ni yaku ni tachitai desu”, meaning “I want to be useful to the company”.

Or in the negative form, “Kondo no ryokou, zutto netto ni tsunagaranakute, keitai ga mattaku yaku ni tatanakatta desu”, meaning “During the trip this time, I wasn’t able to connect to the internet, so my mobile phone was not useful at all”.

Let’s remember the following useful sentences before going to Japan!

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●Nihon ryokousuru toki, nihongo wakattara, yakunitachimasuyo.
(日本旅行するとき、日本語わかったら、役に立ちますよ。)
> While travelling in Japan, knowing Japanese comes in very handy.

●Kore wa itsuka yaki ni tatsu kamoshiremasen.
(これはいつか役に立つかも知れません。)
> This might come in handy someday.

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Now all that’s left is to go out there and try using them in Japan!

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Maido (毎度) Fun! Japan Words vol.160