的Longer sentences

So that, in order to

Say what you're aiming for. Japanese has several patterns, depending on whether you control the outcome.

All lessons

Control is the key

ように vs. ために

聞(き)こえるように大(おお)きい声(こえ)で話(はな)します。Kikoeru youni ookii koe de hanashimasu.

I'll speak loudly so that you can hear.

An outcome you can't directly control.

日本(にほん)に行(い)くためにお金(かね)をためます。Nihon ni iku tame ni okane o tamemasu.

I'm saving money in order to go to Japan.

A goal you act on directly.

The set

Purpose patterns

PatternTakesUse it for
~ようにpotential or negative verbso that something can or won't happen
~ためにplain verb, or noun + のa goal you act toward
~のにplain verbwhat something is used for or takes
stem + に + 行くます stemgoing somewhere to do it

~ように

So that

忘(わす)れないようにメモします。Wasurenai youni memo shimasu.

I'll make a note so I don't forget.

子供(こども)が読(よ)めるように仮名(かな)で書(か)きました。Kodomo ga yomeru youni kana de kakimashita.

I wrote it in kana so that kids can read it.

Make sure

~ようにする

毎日(まいにち)野菜(やさい)を食(た)べるようにしています。Mainichi yasai o taberu youni shite imasu.

I make sure to eat vegetables every day.

An ongoing effort.

遅(おく)れないようにしてください。Okurenai youni shite kudasai.

Please make sure you aren't late.

Telling someone

~ように言う

友(とも)だちに来(く)るように言(い)いました。Tomodachi ni kuru youni iimashita.

I told my friend to come.

An indirect command.

子供(こども)に早(はや)く寝(ね)るように頼(たの)みました。Kodomo ni hayaku neru youni tanomimashita.

I asked my kids to go to bed early.

頼む and 命じる also fit.

~ために

Purpose, cause, or benefit

健康(けんこう)のために走(はし)ります。Kenkou no tame ni hashirimasu.

I run for my health.

Purpose

家族(かぞく)のために働(はたら)きます。Kazoku no tame ni hatarakimasu.

I work for my family.

For someone's benefit

雪(ゆき)のために電車(でんしゃ)が止(と)まりました。Yuki no tame ni densha ga tomarimashita.

The trains stopped because of snow.

Cause, with a past or uncontrollable result

~のに

Used for, or takes

It's plain present + のに. Don't confuse it with “even though” のに.

この道具(どうぐ)は野菜(やさい)を切(き)るのに使(つか)います。Kono dougu wa yasai o kiru no ni tsukaimasu.

This tool is used for cutting vegetables.

東京(とうきょう)に行(い)くのに三時間(さんじかん)かかります。Toukyou ni iku no ni sanjikan kakarimasu.

It takes three hours to get to Tokyo.

Check yourself

Which idea?

風邪(かぜ)を引(ひ)かないようにコートを着(き)ます。Kaze o hikanai youni kooto o kimasu.

Your turn

ように or ために?

日本語(にほんご)が話(はな)せる＿＿練習(れんしゅう)します。Nihongo ga hanaseru renshuu shimasu.

Say it yourself

Getting healthy

A friend asks about your new routine. You run in order to lose weight, and you make sure you go to bed early so you won't be tired.

Automatic feedback on your own answers is coming to Premium.

It's the one whoNext: Even though

Builds on

Helpful to know first

Becoming~なくなる, ~ようになる and ~にするTurning verbs into nounsこと and の