JapaneseJLPT
JLPT N4 grammar · Chapter 11

~ために (purpose)

Do something in order to reach a goal

You'll be able to explain the intended purpose behind a deliberate action.

Illustration of the scene described by My father is saving money to travel.
Read it first

父ちちは旅行りょこうするためにお金おかねを貯ためています。

chichi wa ryokou suru tame ni okane o tamete imasu.

What do you think this sentence means?

My father is saving money to travel.

Why it means that

Act toward a deliberate goal

Purpose ~ために links an intentional goal to the action taken to achieve it. It answers what the action is for.

Example

日本にほんで働はたらくために日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうしています。

nihon de hataraku tame ni nihongo o benkyou shite imasu.

I am studying Japanese to work in Japan.

How it is built

Form and use ~ために (purpose)

The goal is usually something the actor can deliberately do. For a desired ability or prevention of an unintended event, ように is often more natural. Noun + のために can also name a beneficiary.

Verb dictionary form+ために/Noun+のために
Examples

日本にほんで働はたらくために日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうしています。

nihon de hataraku tame ni nihongo o benkyou shite imasu.

I am studying Japanese to work in Japan.

家族かぞくのために料理りょうりします。

kazoku no tame ni ryouri shimasu.

I cook for my family.

Examples

日本にほんの大学だいがくに入はいるために、毎日まいにち勉強べんきょうしています。

nihon no daigaku ni hairu tame ni, mainichi benkyou shite imasu.

I'm studying every day so that I can get into a Japanese university.

新あたらしいパソコンを買かうために、アルバイトをしています。

atarashii pasokon o kau tame ni, arubaito o shite imasu.

I'm working part-time to buy a new computer.

健康けんこうのために、毎朝まいあさ走はしっています。

kenkou no tame ni, maiasa hashitte imasu.

I run every morning for my health.

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