Grammar › N4 · 06 Reasons, purposes & contrast

ために: in order to; because

N4 · 06 Reasons, purposes & contrast

After a verb, gives the purpose (volitional) or cause (past/fact).

Dictionary form + ために = purpose, same subject. Plain past/fact + ために = cause, written style.

Examples

日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうするために、日本にほんへ来きました。

I came to Japan in order to study Japanese.

事故じこがあったために、電車でんしゃが遅おくれた。

The train was late because there was an accident.