Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 3: 21/22

その為(ため)に

For that reason, Because of that, To that end

Structure

そのため + (に) + Phrase

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About そのため(に)

そのために is a frequently used conjunction in Japanese that utilizes その, the noun ため 'reason' (occasionally seen as 為(ため)), and the case marking particle に. そのために is most commonly translated as 'for that reason', or 'to that end'.
そのために will be used at the beginning of a new sentence, to highlight something that will be done/occur due to the circumstances/goal of something in the first sentence. に is often omitted.
  • ハマダさんはとても釣(つ)りが好(す)きです。そのため毎朝(まいあさ)仕事(しごと)に行(い)く前(まえ)に、釣(つ)りに行(い)っています。
    Hamada-san loves fishing. For that reason, he does it every morning before he goes to work.
  • 日本(にほん)では高齢化(こうれいか)が進(すす)んでいる。そのため、子供(こども)が生(う)まれたら政府(せいふ)からお金(かね)がもらえる。
    Japan's population continues to age. To that end, when a child is born, you receive money from the government.
Caution
ため is very similar to 'sake' in English, and tends to be used far more frequently when referring to goals/positive outcomes, than it is for negative outcomes. However, it may still occasionally be used in negative circumstances, to highlight their (unfortunate) result.
  • 子供達(こどもたち)にはなんの不自由(ふじゆう)もない生活(せいかつ)をしてほしい。そのために毎日(まいにち)夜遅(よるおそ)くまで仕事(しごと)をしている。
    I want my kids to have a life without any struggles. For the sake of that, I work until late at night everyday.
  • 新(あたら)しい車(くるま)が欲(ほ)しいけど今(いま)は住宅(じゅうたく)ローンで精一杯(せいいっぱい)。そのために車(くるま)を買(か)うのを我慢(がまん)している。
    I want a new car, but I am struggling to pay my mortgage. For that reason, I am holding off on doing it.
Fun Fact
為(ため) is an exceptionally flexible kanji in Japanese. In addition to ため it is occasionally used for する 'to do', なる 'to become', なす 'to bring about', and つくる 'to make'. The kanji itself means 'to put (something) to use', with heavy emphasis on whatever new state/result will be arrived at afterwards. This meaning can be seen reflected in all of 為(ため)'s readings.

Synonyms

Examples

  • 私(わたし)は鉄道(てつどう)オタクです。いろんな電車(でんしゃ)の写真(しゃしん)を撮(と)るのですが、そのために徹夜(てつや)することもあります。

    I am a railway 'enthusiast'. I take pictures of a variety of trains, because of that I sometimes pull all-nighters.

  • 彼女(かのじょ)の夢(ゆめ)を実現(じつげん)させたい。そのためにできるだけのことはしたいと思(おも)っている。

    I will make her dream a reality. For that reason I want to do all I can (to help).

  • レポートの提出(ていしゅつ)期限(きげん)が迫(せま)っています。そのためしばらくは遊(あそ)べません。

    I am pressed for time in submitting my report. For that reason I will not be able to go out for a while.

  • 夜(よる)遅(おそ)くまで仕事(しごと)をした。そのため寝坊(ねぼう)してしまった。

    I worked until late. Because of that I overslept.

  • 日本語(にほんご)教師(きょうし)になりたいです。そのために頑張(がんば)って勉強(べんきょう)しています。

    I want to become a Japanese language instructor. For that reason I am studying hard.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

  • Online

  • Offline

    There are no Offline resources listed for 「そのため(に)」.

    You can . Resources are constantly updated, come back later to see new additions!

  • Track Resources!

    Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

そのため(に) – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (7 in total)

  • Asher

    Asher

    Here are some english equivalents that will clear it up.
    それで= ‘And with that’ - I did this.
    そのために= ‘And to that end’ - I did this.

    Pretty much the same in formality too.

  • mrthuvi

    mrthuvi

    レポートの提出期限が迫っています。そのためしばらくは遊べません。
    Why is the に not needed here?

  • Daru

    Daru

    Inexcusably late reply, but:

    Basically, it’s a very small difference, but に is dropped to bring greater emphasis to what comes after the ため.

    For example, if I were to say:
    「君のため、書いた。」versus「君のために書いた。」

    Without に, I’m emphasizing the 書いた bit due to the natural pause in the absence of に and the feeling is like me, writing, was a big deal.

    Whereas the second one emphasizes ため (as we know, に marks the final destination of something) so I’m emphasizing that I’m doing it for you.

    Hope this helps!

Got questions about そのため(に)? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion