～ために

How to form it

• Purpose: Verb (dictionary form) + ために / Noun + の + ために
• Reason: Verb (plain form, e.g. 行った) + ため(に) / い-adjective + ため / な-adjective + な + ため / Noun + の + ため
• The subject is usually the same in the purpose use.

Register: Neutral to slightly formal

Explanation

Shows the purpose of an action, or the reason for a result.

For purpose, the verb before ために is something the subject wants to do, and the subject of both clauses is normally the same. In the reason use, the sentence is slightly formal and written.

Examples

1. 日本で働くために、日本語を勉強している。

   にほんではたらくために、にほんごをべんきょうしている。

   I am studying Japanese in order to work in Japan.

2. 家族のために、毎日働いている。

   かぞくのために、まいにちはたらいている。

   I work every day for my family.

3. 雪のため、電車が遅れています。

   ゆきのため、でんしゃがおくれています。

   The trains are delayed because of the snow.

Compare with

• ～ように（目的）: ～ように is used with a verb that is not under control or an outcome one hopes for.
• ～ので: ～ので is a more everyday reason.

Common mistakes

• Using ために for ability, possibility or a hoped-for outcome (見えるために); ように is often more natural there (日本語が話せるように). ために is generally used when the preceding action is a deliberate means to a purpose.
• Using it when the two subjects differ in the purpose meaning.