Grammar Info
N3 Lesson 2: 10/22

為(ため)に
for, for the sake of, in order to

Structure
Verb[る]+ ため(に)
Noun + + ため(に)
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
ため (or 為(ため) in its kanji form) is a noun in Japanese that can be translated quite closely to 'sake' in English. However, it is classified as a non-independent word in Japanese, and must always be connected to another word which illustrates the 'sake' that ため is highlighting. The case marking particle に will often be added after ため, to show that (A) is a goal that something will done to reach.
Due to this, ために can be translated as 'for the sake of (A)', or 'in order to (A)'.
To use ために, attach it to the end of verb in its non-past form, or a noun follow by の.
  • 新(あたら)しい家(いえ)建(た)てるために、土地(とち)買(か)った。
    In order to build a house, I bought land.
  • 勉強(べんきょう)するために、親(おや)に机(つくえ)買(か)ってもらった。
    In order to study, I got my parents to buy me a desk.
  • 私(わたし)のためにやって。
    Please do this for me.
  • 君(きみ)のために買(か)ってあげのに、誰(だれ)かにあげちゃった
    I bought this for you, but you gave it to someone?
Fun Fact
Despite mainly being used to highlight goals, or things dictating an action, ため is also sometimes used to highlight events that have already taken place, and their results. Due to this, a more accurate translation of ため (in all of its uses) is 'in light of (A)'. This simply highlights that (A) is the primary or major event/thing that resulted in (B), or will result in (B).
  • 2年(ねん)前(まえ)、車(くるま)買(か)うために、親(おや)からお金(かね)借(か)りました。
    In order to buy a car two years ago, I borrowed money from my parents.
  • 骨折(こっせつ)したため明日(あした)からしばらく仕事(しごと)休(やす)みます。
    Since I broke a bone, I am going to take some time off of work starting tomorrow.
When ため highlights past events, it is often translated simply as 'due to', or 'because of'.
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日本語(にほんご)上手(じょうず)になるために文法(ぶんぽう)勉強(べんきょう)すべきです。
You should study grammar in order to become good at Japanese.
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君(きみ)ために何(なん)でもするなぜなら、愛(あい)しているから。
I would do anything for you. Because I love you.
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家(いえ)買(か)うためにローンを組(く)んだ。
I took a loan in order to buy a house.
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Books
Tobira
Page 44
みんなの日本語 II
Page 108 [CH 42]
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 447
Genki II 2nd Edition
Page 100 & 101
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 94