Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 2: 9/22

のに

In order to

Structure

Verb + のに

Details

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    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About のに

Regarded as a conjunction particle by itself, のに is simply a fusion of the case marking particles の and に. のに has two primary functions in Japanese. It can be used to show that something is the opposite of what is expected for (A) (translated as 'despite'), or it can be used to show that something is required for (A) to be realized (translated as 'in order to'). We will focus on the 'in order to' meaning in this lesson.
To use のに, simply attach it to the base (non-past) form of a verb that you would like to express as being the 'goal', before following it with the conditions required to meet that goal.
  • トラックは車(くるま)と違(ちが)って、ブレーキをかけてから止(と)まるのに時間(じかん)がかかる。
    Unlike cars, trucks take longer to stop after stepping on the brakes.
  • 風(かぜ)が強(つよ)すぎて、ピクニックシートを広(ひろ)げるのに苦労(くろう)した。
    The wind was so strong that I struggled to spread out the picnic blanket.
Fun Fact
Although のに can be translated as 'despite', or 'in order to', it actually has the same meaning in each of these situations. の nominalizes what comes before it (turning it into a noun-phrase), while に converts that new noun-phrase into a 'location', or 'goal'. In this way, のに always means 'to that which is (A), (B)'.
  • さっき食(た)べたばかりなのに、またお腹(なか)が空(す)いた。
    I just ate earlier, but I am hungry again.
  • 食(た)べるのに時間(じかん)をかけすぎて寝(ね)る時間(じかん)が遅(おそ)くなった。
    I took so long to eat, so I slept at a later time.

Examples

  • 宿題(しゅくだい)をするのに、3時間(じかん)かかる。

    It takes 3 hours in order to do homework.

  • 食(た)べるのに時間(じかん)がかかりすぎて、昼(ひる)休(やす)みが終(お)わってしまった。

    It took too long in order for me to eat lunch, so my lunch break unfortunately came to an end.

  • お茶(ちゃ)を飲(の)むのに必要(ひつよう)なコップがありません。

    I do not have the necessary cup in order to drink tea.

  • 本(ほん)を読(よ)むのに眼鏡(めがね)を買(か)った。

    I bought glasses in order to read books.

  • 電車(でんしゃ)で音楽(おんがく)を聴(き)くのにイヤフォンを忘(わす)れてしまいました。

    I forgot to bring the earphones I use in order to listen to music on the train.

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のに – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (17 in total)

  • FredKore

    FredKore

    All the sentences are correct. (But they might be more common in British English.)

    This is a correct sentence.
    Would it sound better if it was “for the purpose of drinking tea…”? The speaker is talking about a cup that is specifically used for tea, as opposed to a cup for any other beverage.

    I think they chose to translate it this way to keep “to” in front of the verb in translation and keep the verb un-conjugated (without “ing”). Also, using “to” instead of “in order to” doesn’t convey the sense of purpose in the grammar poin...

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    Hey @chella1788 and welcome on the community forums!

    The sentences are natural, maybe a bit formal. The idea is, like @FredKore says:
    ・to keep verb in infinitive form
    ・to clearly express the intended meaning, because “to” by itself might be unclear
    ・to keep translation consistent between sentences

    I hope it helps,
    Cheers

  • Elibean

    Elibean

    Oh, I missed this. Thank you!

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