Minna No Nihongo Grammar Lesson 42

Minna No Nihongo Grammar Lesson 42

V dictionary form Nの

ために、～

in order to V for N

 

This sentence pattern indicates a purpose.

自分の店を持つために、貯金しています。

I am saving money in order to have my own shop.

引っ越しのために、車を借ります。

I will rent a car for the move.

N のためにis also used to mean “for the benefit of N”.

健康のために、毎朝走っています。

For my health, I jog every morning.

家族のために、うちを建てます。

I will build a house for my family.

[Note 1] ～ように, which you learned in Lesson 36, is also used to express a purpose. ～ようにis used with verbs that do not contain volition, while ～ためにis used with verbs that do. Compare the two sentences below.

自分の店を持つために、貯金しています。(*)

自分の店を持てるように、貯金しています。(**)

I am saving money in order to be able to have my own shop.

(*) means that one has intentionally set up the objective of ‘having a shop” and “is saving” money to attain that objective, while (**) means one’s objective is a state in which “a shop may be gained” and one “is saving money” in order to get closer to that state.

[Note 2] なりますindicates either volition or non-volition.

弁護士になるために、法律を勉強しています。

I study law in order to become a lawyer.

日本語が上手になるように、毎日勉強しています。

I study every day so that my Japanese may improve.

V dictionary form の N

に～

 

As you learned in Lesson 38, V dictionary form のcan be used as a noun phrase. V dictionary form のにand N にare followed by such expressions as つかう, いい, べんりだ, やくにたつ, [じかんが]かかる, etc., and indicate a purpose.

このはさみは花を切るのに使います。

This pair of scissors is used to cut flowers.

このかばんは大きくて、旅行に便利です。

This bag is big and convenient for trips.

電話番号を調べるのに時間がかかりました。

It took a lot of time to find the telephone number.

[Note] Different ways of expressing purpose.

Let us summarize the expressions for indicating purpose that you have learned so far.

V ます-form N

に行きます／来ます／帰ります

神戸へ船を見に行きます。

I’ll go to Kobe to look at the ships.

日本へ経済の勉強に来ました。

I came to Japan to study economics.

V dictionary form (non-volitional expression) Vない-formない

ように、

～(volitional expression)

早く届くように、速達で出しました。

I will mail this by special delivery so that it can get there earlier.

忘れないように、メモします。

I make a note so that I don’t forget.

V dictionary form (volitional expression) Nの

ために、

～(volitional expression)

大学に入るために、一生懸命勉強します。

I study as hard as possible in order to enter university.

健康のために、野菜をたくさん食べます。

I eat a lot of vegetables for my health.

V dictionary formの N

に使います／役に立ちます／[時間]がかかります にいいです／便利です／必要です

ファイルは書類を整理するのに使います。

Files are used to put paper in order.

近くに店がなくて、買い物に不便です。

There are no stores nearby, so it is inconvenient for shopping.

3. Quantifierは

When attached to a quantifier, the particle はindicates the minimum amount that the speaker estimates is required or necessary.

日本では結婚式をするのに２００万円は要ります。

In Japan you need at least 2 million yen to hold a wedding.

4. Quantifierも

When attached to a quantifier, the particle indicates that the speaker thinks that the amount mentioned is a lot.

駅まで行くのに２時間もかかりました。

It took as long as two hours to get to the station.

うちを建てるのに３０００万円も必要なんですか。

You need as much as 30 million yen to build a house?

Related Post:
Minna No Nihongo Grammar Lesson 43
Minna No Nihongo Lesson 42 Vocabulary