Japanese prepositions of purpose play a crucial role in conveying the intention or purpose behind an action. Understanding and correctly using these prepositions is essential for effective communication in Japanese. In this guide, we will provide a brief and accurate explanation of the prepositions of purpose in Japanese, along with example sentences to illustrate their usage.
に (ni)
The preposition に (ni) is one of the most commonly used prepositions of purpose in Japanese. It is typically used to indicate the purpose or goal of an action. In English, it can be translated as “for,” “to,” or “in order to.”
Example sentences:
日本へ旅行に行きます。 (Nihon e ryokō ni ikimasu.)
Translation: I am going to Japan for a trip.
お茶を飲むには水が必要です。 (Ocha o nomu ni wa mizu ga hitsuyō desu.)
Translation: Water is necessary to drink tea.
ために (tame ni)
The phrase ために (tame ni) is another important expression of purpose in Japanese. It is used to convey the idea of “for the sake of” or “in order to.” This prepositional phrase emphasizes the intention behind an action.
Example sentences:
勉強するために図書館に行きました。 (Benkyō suru tame ni toshokan ni ikimashita.)
Translation: I went to the library in order to study.
体を鍛えるためにジムに通っています。 (Karada o kitaeru tame ni jimu ni kayotte imasu.)
Translation: I go to the gym in order to train my body.
ように (yō ni)
The preposition ように (yō ni) is used to express the purpose or intention of an action. It can be translated as “so that” or “in order to.” This preposition is often used with verbs of volition or desire.
Example sentences:
早く起きるようにアラームをセットしました。 (Hayaku okiru yō ni arāmu o setto shimashita.)
Translation: I set the alarm clock so that I could wake up early.
両親に感謝の気持ちを伝えるようにしています。 (Ryōshin ni kansha no kimochi o tsutaeru yō ni shiteimasu.)
Translation: I make an effort to express my gratitude to my parents.
ため (tame)
The noun ため (tame) is used to express the purpose or benefit behind an action. It can be translated as “for the purpose of” or “for the benefit of.” This preposition is often used with verbs in their dictionary form.
Example sentences:
環境保護のため、リサイクルをしています。 (Kankyō hogo no tame, risaikuru o shiteimasu.)
Translation: I recycle for the purpose of environmental protection.
健康のために適度な運動をすることが大切です。 (Kenkō no tame ni tekido na undō o suru koto ga taisetsu desu.)
Translation: It is important to engage in moderate exercise for the sake of health.
として (to shite)
The preposition として (to shite) is used to indicate the role or position someone takes in order to achieve a particular purpose. It can be translated as “as” or “in the capacity of.”
Example sentences:
私は学生として留学しています。 (Watashi wa gakusei to shite ryūgaku shiteimasu.)
Translation: I am studying abroad as a student.
彼は専門家として講演を行います。 (Kare wa senmonka to shite kōen o okonaimasu.)
Translation: He gives lectures as an expert.
Conclusion:
Japanese prepositions of purpose are essential for expressing the intention or purpose behind an action. By using prepositions such as に (ni), ために (tame ni), ように (yō ni), ため (tame), and として (to shite), you can clearly convey the reasons and goals behind your actions in Japanese. It is important to practice using these prepositions in various contexts to become more comfortable and confident in expressing purpose in Japanese conversation.
Originally posted 2023-07-13 17:21:12.