Japanese grammar
What does ～のために (for the benefit of) mean? Japanese grammar N4
～のために (for the benefit of) means for ~, for the sake of ~ (benefit).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N のために V V (dictionary form) ために V |
| Romaji | ~ no tame ni |
| Meaning | for ~, for the sake of ~ (benefit) |
Forming it
| Noun | N + のために |
|---|---|
| Verb (purpose) | V (dictionary form) + ために |
| Modifying a noun | N + のための + N |
How to use it
States the beneficiary or the purpose of an action.
- Meaning 1 — FOR THE BENEFIT of someone: 「家族のために働きます」(I work for my family). The noun before ために is usually a person or an organization.
- Meaning 2 — PURPOSE, attached after a verb in dictionary form: 「日本の大学に入るために日本語を勉強しています」(I'm studying Japanese in order to enter a Japanese university).
- An important condition for the purpose meaning: the verb before ために must be a VOLITIONAL action (the speaker's own will). If it's a non-volitional verb (わかる・できる・なる) or a potential-form verb, ように must be used instead of ために: 「日本語がわかるように毎日聞いています」.
- Don't confuse this with ために meaning "because of ~" (cause): 「雨のために試合が中止になりました」(the match was cancelled because of the rain). Distinguish by meaning: benefit/purpose → "for the sake of"; an unfortunate event that already occurred → cause.
Examples
家族のために毎日働いています。
I work every day for my family.
日本の大学に入るために日本語を勉強しています。
I am studying Japanese in order to enter a Japanese university.
これは子どものための本です。
This is a book for children.
Keep in mind
- When modifying a noun, ために changes to ための: 「子どものための本」 (a book for children).
- ために is more formal than ～に行きます/～たいから; casual conversation usually phrases it more briefly.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong日本語が話せるために練習します。
I practice so that I can speak Japanese.
Correct日本語が話せるように練習します。
A POTENTIAL verb (話せる) has no volition → ように must be used, not ために. ために only goes with volitional verbs (入る・買う・行く).
-
Wrong子どものために本です。
This is a book for children.
Correct子どものための本です。
When modifying a NOUN, ために must change to ための.
Exam tips
- Trap between ために/ように: look at the verb before it — volitional (入る) → ために; potential/non-volitional (話せる・わかる) → ように.