Japanese grammar
What does ～ため（に） (cause) mean? Japanese grammar N4
～ため（に） (cause) means because of ~, due to ~.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | V (plain form) + ため（に） Aい + ため（に） Aな + なため（に） N + のため（に） |
| Romaji | ~ tame (ni) |
| Meaning | because of ~, due to ~ |
How to use it
Stating an objective cause in announcements, news, or relatively formal writing.
- ため（に） in the cause meaning usually appears when the result is something that has already happened or a situation not actively controlled by the speaker. It is more formal and leans toward written language, more so than ので.
- Look at what precedes it to distinguish from ために (purpose only): the cause meaning accepts past tense/adjectives/nouns, while the purpose meaning usually goes with an intentional action in the latter clause.
Examples
大雪のため、電車が遅れています。
The train is delayed due to heavy snow.
道が工事中だったために、時間がかかりました。
It took a long time because the road was under construction.
Keep in mind
- In traffic announcements you often see 雨のため、運転を見合わせます. に can be omitted, shortening it to ～ため、.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong雨だため、試合は中止です。
Correct雨のため、試合は中止です。
Nouns connect to ため with の: N + のため. Do not use だため.
Exam tips
- Words like 事故・大雨・工事・故障 right before the blank often signal のため（に） in the cause meaning.