LEARN + JAPANESE / Note 123 JLPT N4
For the Purpose Of (ため（に）)
ために attaches after a verb’s dictionary form or after a noun with の, and names the purpose or goal behind an action, “in order to,” “for the sake of.”
Takuya is studying Japanese in order to study abroad in Japan next year.
Naoki is studying Japanese in order to become a Japanese teacher.
In Real Life
ために always answers “what for,” making the reasoning explicit in a way plain から doesn’t. It works with a verb’s dictionary form directly, or, when the goal is a thing rather than an action, with a noun plus の, 体のために, “for the sake of your health,” 友達のために, “for a friend’s sake.”
This is medicine for when your head starts to hurt.
This is a book for looking up the meaning of Japanese proverbs.
In Real Life
Xのための[noun] describes an item’s purpose, “a book for looking things up,” “medicine for headaches,” stacking ため directly in front of the noun it modifies, a pattern that shows up constantly on labels and product descriptions.
Vocabulary
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| to study abroad | |
| graduate school | |
| history | |
| research | |
| medicine | |
| guidebook | |
| proverb | |
| meaning | |
| air | |
| machine | |
| supplement | |
| ticket | |
| to swim | |
| polite language | |
| to take a class | |
| purpose | |
| goal | |
| health | |
| sacrifice | |
| to make an effort |