12.7 Purpose and Reason: ために

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Overview

This lesson covers ために, which expresses either purpose (“in order to”) or cause (“because of / due to”). The meaning shifts depending on whether the verb before ために is in dictionary form (purpose) or past form (cause).

ために connects a purpose, beneficiary, or cause to a result. Depending on how it is used, it can mean ”in order to”, ”for the sake of”, or ”because of”.

1. Verb (dictionary) + ために — “in order to”

When used with the dictionary form of a verb, ために expresses purpose.

。

I am studying Japanese in order to go to Japan.

。

I exercise every morning for the sake of my health.

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I practice every day in order to get better.

The subject of the main clause and the purpose clause must usually be the same person.

2. Noun + の + ために — “for the sake of / for the benefit of”

When attached to a noun, ために expresses who or what benefits.

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I work for the sake of my family.

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I am saving money for my children.

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I cooked for everyone.

3. Verb (past plain) + ために — “because of / due to”

When used with the past plain form, ために expresses cause or reason. This usage is more literary and formal than から or ので.

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The excursion was canceled because it rained.

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The train was delayed because of an accident.

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I failed the exam due to insufficient preparation.

This usage only describes factual causes, not intentions.

ために vs. ように

Both ために and ように can mean “so that / in order to”, but they differ:

ために — the purpose is something the speaker actively aims to achieve
ように — the goal is a state or ability the speaker wants to reach

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I practice in order to speak Japanese (active purpose).

。

I practice so that I can speak Japanese (desired ability).

Points to keep in mind

Dictionary form + ために = purpose
Noun + の + ために = benefit
Past plain form + ために = cause (formal/literary)
ために (cause) is more formal and literary than から or ので

Dialogue

にっぽん日本にいく行くために、まいにち毎日にほんご日本語をべんきょう勉強しています。もっとじょうず上手になるために、せんせい先生にれっすんレッスンをたのみました頼みました。しごと仕事でつかう使うために、ぱそこんパソコンのすきるスキルをみがいています磨いています。しけん試験にごうかく合格するために、ともだち友達といっしょに一緒にべんきょう勉強しました。かぞく家族のためにまいにち毎日いっしょうけんめい一生懸命はたらいています働いています。こども子どものためにあたらしい新しいいえ家をかう買うことにしました。みんなのためにけえきケーキをつくりました作りました。あめがふった雨が降ったために、うんどうかい運動会がちゅうし中止になりました。でんしゃ電車がおくれた遅れたために、かいぎ会議にちこく遅刻してしまいました。じゅんび準備がたりなかった足りなかったために、はっぴょう発表がうまくいきませんでした。けんこう健康のために、おさけお酒をあまりのまない飲まないようにしています。しょうらい将来のためにいま今からちょきん貯金をはじめる始めることにしました。

I study Japanese every day in order to go to Japan. I asked a teacher for lessons in order to get better. I am sharpening my computer skills to use at work. I studied together with a friend in order to pass the exam. I work hard every day for the sake of my family. We decided to buy a new house for our children. I made a cake for everyone. The sports day was canceled because it rained. I was late to the meeting because the train was delayed. My presentation didn't go well due to insufficient preparation. I try not to drink much alcohol for the sake of my health. I decided to start saving money now for the future.

12.6 ～ように — So that

12.8 ～わけだ — That Is Why / No Wonder

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