Historical term

Kai (former province located in present-day Yamanashi Prefecture)

result (that makes an act worthwhile); worth (in doing something); value; effect; use; benefit; avail

Godan verb with 'ru' ending (irregular verb)

to be effective; to be fruitful; to be worthwhile; to be worth; to be rewarded; to pay off

good-for-nothing; spineless; gutless; spiritless; feckless; pluckless; cowardly; tame; timid; pathetic; pitiful; disappointing; shameful; useless; worthless

value in doing something; feeling that something is worth doing; rewarding feeling; sense of satisfaction

reason for living; something one lives for; purpose in life; raison d'être; ikigai

After a noun or the -masu stem of a verb

result (that makes an act worthwhile); worth (in doing something); value; effect; use; benefit; avail

resourcefulness; ability (esp. to earn a living); dependability; reliability

brisk and efficient; diligent; devoted; spirited

reliability; trustworthiness; dependability