Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“In order to,” “for the sake of,” or “due to/because of.” It acts as a conjunctive phrase linking an action to its intended goal, objective, beneficiary, or cause.
🎯 Primary Function
To clearly state the objective, intended outcome, or beneficiary of the action described in the main clause.
📋 Grammar Structure
V (Dictionary Form) + ために | Noun + のために
I-adjective (stem) + ために (Used only for reason/cause, not purpose)
Na-adjective (stem) + な + ために (Used only for reason/cause, not purpose)
V (ない form) + ために
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Frequently used in formal presentations, reports, and academic writing to clearly state objectives. (e.g., 研究目的のために)
Informal Situations
Used casually in daily conversations when explaining one’s immediate goals or efforts.
Written Language
Standard and common in essays, news articles, and formal documentation.
Spoken Language
Very common for setting the stage for an action (e.g., 試験のために勉強する).
💡 Common Applications
Expressing Purpose or Goal (Objective)
The purpose of listening to the news is to improve Japanese proficiency. This is the most common N3 use.
Example: 日本語が上達するために、毎日ニュースを聞いています。
Indicating a Beneficiary
The new park was constructed for the benefit of the children. It shows who benefits from the action.
Example: 子どもたちのために、新しい公園が建設されました。
Expressing Reason or Cause (Less frequent for purpose, but crucial)
Used when ‘ために’ follows a noun or a condition to indicate an unwanted or unavoidable consequence or reason (often formal/news language).
Example: 事故のために、高速道路が閉鎖された。
Frequency
High
Difficulty
Intermediate (JLPT N3)
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Example Sentences
Example #1
日本へ留学するために、貯金しています。
Furigana: にほんへりゅうがくするために、ちょきんしています。
Romaji: Nihon e ryūgaku suru tame ni, chokin shite imasu.
English: I am saving money in order to study abroad in Japan.
Example #2
健康を維持するために、毎日運動する。
Furigana: けんこうをいじするために、まいにちうんどうする。
Romaji: Kenkō o iji suru tame ni, mainichi undō suru.
English: I exercise every day to maintain my health.
Example #3
忘れ物をしないために、リストを作った。
Furigana: わすれものをしないために、リストをつくった。
Romaji: Wasuremono o shinai tame ni, risuto o tsukutta.
English: I made a list so that I wouldn’t forget anything.
Example #4
家族のために、一生懸命働きます。
Furigana: かぞくのために、いっしょうけんめいはたらきます。
Romaji: Kazoku no tame ni, isshōkenmei hatarakimasu.
English: I work hard for the sake of my family.
Example #5
お客様のために、最高のサービスを提供します。
Furigana: おきゃくさまのために、さいこうのサービスをていきょうします。
Romaji: Okyaku-sama no tame ni, saikō no sābisu o teikyō shimasu.
English: For the customer, we will provide the best service.
Example #6
会議のために、資料を準備しなければならない。
Furigana: かいぎのために、しりょうをじゅんびしなければならない。
Romaji: Kaigi no tame ni, shiryō o junbi shinakereba naranai.
English: I must prepare the documents for the meeting.
Example #7
夢を叶えるために、努力を続ける。
Furigana: ゆめをかなえるために、どりょくをつづける。
Romaji: Yume o kanaeru tame ni, doryoku o tsuzukeru.
English: He is continuing his efforts to fulfill his dream.
Example #8
台風のために、電車が遅延した。
Furigana: たいふうのために、でんしゃがちえんした。
Romaji: Taifū no tame ni, densha ga chien shita.
English: Due to the typhoon, the train was delayed.
Example #9
自分のために、新しいスキルを学ぶべきだ。
Furigana: じぶんのために、あたらしいスキルをまなぶべきだ。
Romaji: Jibun no tame ni, atarashii sukiru o manabu beki da.
English: You should learn a new skill for yourself.
Example #10
世界平和のために、何ができるだろうか。
Furigana: せかいへいわのために、なにができるだろうか。
Romaji: Sekai heiwa no tame ni, nani ga dekiru darō ka.
English: What can we do for the sake of world peace?
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Volitional Requirement for Purpose
‘ために’ typically requires the verb that precedes it to be volitional (an action you control) and must state a concrete purpose.
Example: 目的：旅行に行くために、お金を貯める。
Use with Noun + の
When following a noun, ‘ために’ often indicates the beneficiary (“for the sake of [N]”). This Noun must take the particle の.
Example: 受益者：会社のために働く。
Distinction between Purpose and Reason/Cause
When expressing a reason or cause (rather than a forward-looking purpose), it often conveys a sense of unfortunate consequence. In this case, the state (寝坊した) can precede ために.
Example: 原因：寝坊したために、遅刻しました。 (State/Reason)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ テストに合格しますために、勉強しました。
✅ Use V-るために. (e.g., 勉強するために)
‘ために’ must attach to the dictionary form (V-る) of a verb, not the ます form.
❌ 日本語が話せるために、練習している。
✅ Use ‘ように’ for involuntary actions or potential forms. (e.g., 日本語が話せるようになるために)
‘ために’ usually requires a volitional (controllable) verb in the preceding clause. You cannot *volitionally* become able to speak Japanese; it’s a resulting state.
❌
✅ Ensure the preceding element is Noun + の or V-dictionary. (e.g., 忙しいので / 忙しいために)
When using a state (like an adjective) to express reason, the structure changes or is often replaced by ‘ので’. Direct Noun+ために requires the ‘の’.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral. The overall politeness is determined by the main clause verb (e.g., します vs. する).
Social Situations: Used widely across all social situations where a purpose or objective needs to be stated clearly. It is excellent for conveying diligence or effort toward a goal.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese. No significant regional variations in usage or meaning.
🔍 Subtle Differences
ために vs. ように
ために (purpose) is used with volitional/active verbs (e.g., 買う, 勉強する). ように (goal/change of state) is used with non-volitional verbs, potential forms, or verbs of perception (e.g., できる, わかる, 見える).
When to use: Use ために when you are describing a deliberate effort to achieve a clear, concrete purpose. Use ように when describing efforts to bring about a change in state or ability.
ために vs. のに
ために expresses purpose (“in order to achieve X”). のに expresses contrast (“despite X”) or suitability (“suitable for X”).
When to use: Use ために when the main action is performed *for* the purpose mentioned. Use のに to express surprise or contradiction regarding a situation.
ために vs. から/ので
When indicating reason, ために is generally formal or used for specific/unwanted consequences (e.g., due to the typhoon). から/ので are common, neutral ways to express reasons.
When to use: Use ために for a formal or impactful statement of cause/reason. Use から/ので for standard, everyday explanations.
📝 Conjugation Notes
Verbs must be in the plain, dictionary form (V-る) or the plain negative form (V-ない). Adjectives (i- or na-) and nouns expressing reason or cause must be followed by な or の, respectively. (e.g., 静かなために / 忙しいのために -> 誤り)
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounce ために flatly. Be mindful of the slight pause or breath needed before the main clause, as the ために clause provides important introductory context.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of ‘ため (tame)’ as “sake” or “goal.” The particle ‘に’ shows direction *toward* that goal: “Directed toward the goal (of V-ing).”
Other Grammar
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