Purpose
Learn how to express purpose and goals in Japanese using ために and ように.
Purpose Expressions
Japanese has two main ways to express purpose — why you do something or what outcome you're aiming for.
ために expresses a deliberate, volitional purpose: 'in order to do X.' The subject controls the action directly. ように expresses a desired outcome or state: 'so that X happens.' The outcome may be beyond the subject's direct control, or the focus is on the resulting state rather than the action itself.
The key distinction is volition: ために pairs with actions you can choose to do, while ように pairs with states, abilities, or outcomes that emerge gradually.
Attach ために to the dictionary form of a volitional verb to express a deliberate purpose.
[dictionary form] + ために
- 勉強するために (in order to study)
- 買うために (in order to buy)
The verb before ために must be something the subject can intentionally do. You cannot use ために with potential forms or non-volitional verbs like わかる (understand) or できる (be able to).
Examples
- I came to Japan in order to study Japanese.
日本語を勉強するために、日本に来ました。
- For my health, I exercise every day.
健康のために、毎日運動しています。
- In order to pass the exam, I studied late every night.
試験に合格するために、毎晩遅くまで勉強した。
- To support my family, I'm working two jobs.
家族を養うために、二つの仕事をしている。
Attach ように to the dictionary form of a non-volitional verb, potential form, or negative form to express a desired outcome.
[potential/non-volitional/negative form] + ように
- 話せるように (so that I can speak)
- 聞こえるように (so that it can be heard)
- 遅れないように (so as not to be late)
ように focuses on a state or ability you want to achieve, not the direct action. It often pairs with potential forms (～できる, ～られる) or ない forms.
Examples
- I practice every day so that I can speak Japanese.
日本語が話せるように、毎日練習しています。
- I woke up early so as not to be late.
遅刻しないように、早く起きました。
- They built a park so that children could play safely.
子供が安全に遊べるように、公園を作った。
- I'll write a note so I don't forget.
忘れないように、メモを書いておきます。
The core difference is volition and directness:
- ために: The purpose verb is volitional — the subject can and will do it directly.
- ように: The purpose verb is non-volitional, a potential form, or negative — the outcome isn't fully under the subject's control.
Compare the pairs below. Both sentences aim at the same goal, but ために frames it as a direct action ('I will enter university'), while ように frames it as an ability or outcome ('so that I can get into university').
When either form is grammatically possible, ために sounds more determined and direct, while ように sounds softer and more indirect — fitting the Japanese preference for expressing things as natural outcomes rather than forceful intentions.
Examples
- I study to get into university. (direct intention)
大学に入るために、勉強する。
- I study so that I can get into university. (desired outcome)
大学に入れるように、勉強する。
- I'm running to lose weight. (direct intention)
痩せるために、走っている。
- I'm running so that I can lose weight. (desired outcome)
痩せられるように、走っている。