JLPT N4 grammar
～ために — Meaning & Examples
Dual use: purpose ("in order to") with dictionary form, or cause ("because of") with nouns/past tense.
～ために — Purpose & Cause
ために has two uses — purpose ("in order to") and cause ("because of").
Purpose — "in order to" (verb dictionary form + ために):
にほんごをべんきょうするために、にほんにいきました。
— I went to Japan in order to study Japanese.
けんこうのために、まいにちうんどうしています。
— For my health, I exercise every day.
Cause — "because of" (noun + のために / past form + ために):
たいふうのために、ひこうきがけっこうになった。
— Because of the typhoon, the flight was cancelled.
じこのために、でんしゃがおくれています。
— Due to an accident, the train is delayed.
How to tell them apart:
Purpose: subject controls the action (intentional)
Cause: subject has no control (external cause)
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on ～ために. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. "にほんごをべんきょうするために" means?
- Because I studied Japanese
- Even though I study Japanese
- In order to study Japanese
- While studying Japanese
Show answer
Answer: In order to study Japanese
Dictionary form + ために = in order to. Purpose use of ために.
2. "たいふうのために" — what use of ために?
- Purpose
- Cause
- Permission
- Condition
Show answer
Answer: Cause
Noun + のために = because of (cause). たいふうのために = because of the typhoon. External/uncontrolled cause.
Practise ～ために in the free app
This point is part of the “Giving Reasons & Contrast” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: Giving Reasons & Contrast
Frequently asked questions
What does ～ために mean?
Dual use: purpose ("in order to") with dictionary form, or cause ("because of") with nouns/past tense.
Is ～ために on the JLPT N4 test?
～ために is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Giving Reasons & Contrast”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise ～ために?
Open the “Giving Reasons & Contrast” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N4 mock exams, with no ads.