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 + の + ため(に)

Details

  • Register

    Standard

About ため(に)

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 be 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.

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)を買(か)うために、親(おや)からお金(かね)を借(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)を休(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'.

Examples

--:--

    家(いえ)を買(か)う為(ため)にローンを組(く)んだ。

    I took a loan in order to buy a house.

    僕(ぼく)はただいい点(てん)を取(と)る為(ため)に勉強(べんきょう)していません。

    I am not studying just for the sake of getting a good score.

    何(なん)の為(ため)に生(い)きているのか、それが知(し)りたい。

    I want to know what I am living for.

    お金(かね)の為(ため)だけに仕事(しごと)をするのは、つらいです。

    It's very hard to only work for money.

    老後(ろうご)の為(ため)にちゃんと貯金(ちょきん)しておかなければならない。

    You have to save enough money for your retirement.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

ため(に) – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (13 in total)

  • Yryrdz

    Yryrdz

    This helps a ton! Thank you very much.

  • Chrispy

    Chrispy

    It appears that nothing has changed since the initial request? I think the grammar point should be updated.

  • Isurandil492

    Isurandil492

    日本語()能力試験()に受()かるために 頑張()って勉強()している。

    I am studying hard in order to pass the JLPT.

    Since I just fell for that: It’s 受かる, not 受ける, so “to pass” is correct.

Got questions about ため(に)? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion