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Japanese Grammar: 〜のに = in order to

Japanese Grammar: 〜のに = in order to

It’s a super handy structure that can mean both “in order to” and “even though”, depending on the sentence!

💡 Grammar: 〜のに
Verb dictionary form + のに = In order to [verb]

It can also mean “even though / despite” in a different context (more advanced use), e.g.
雨なのに行った。
(Even though it rained, I went.)

📝 From the image:
浴衣を着るのに時間がかかった。
➡️ It took time to put on the yukata.
= Putting on the yukata required time.

✅ 浴衣(ゆかた)= yukata (summer kimono)
✅ 着る(きる)= to wear/put on
✅ 時間がかかる = to take time
✅ のに = in order to / for the purpose of

💬 Try this pattern:
チケットを買うのに30分かかった。
➡️ It took 30 minutes to buy the ticket.

プレゼントを選ぶのに時間が必要です。
➡️ I need time to choose a gift.

Related Post:
Japanese Grammar: Volitional Form
Japanese Grammar: Potential Form