そのため(に) (JLPT N3)

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.

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

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５(ご)人(にん)の家族(かぞく)を養(やしな)う。その為(ため)に僕(ぼく)は働(はたら)く。

I support a family of 5. For that reason I work. (for the sake of that)

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

I worked until late. Because of that I overslept. (for the sake of that)

会社(かいしゃ)が倒産(とうさん)した。その為(ため)に失業(しつぎょう)した。

The company went bankrupt. Because of that I lost my job. (for the sake of that)

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、その為(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. (for the sake of that)

彼女(かのじょ)の夢(ゆめ)を実現(じつげん)させたい。その為(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). (for the sake of that)

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そのため(に) – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (7 in total)

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
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
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!