Japanese Grammar on
Expressing Benefit & Purpose -
Intermediate Lessons: 4

In this lesson you will get to learn the Japanese grammar ため (tame). It's used to describe something (noun) or some action (verb).

This "something or action" is for the benefit of individual or group. Besides, it can also mean "for the purpose of" or "in order to".

For the Benefit of "Noun"

Sentence Pattern 1

Let's look at the sentence pattern of the first meaning of this Japanese grammar...

NounA のための NounB
NounA no tame no NounB

This means that NounB is for the benefit of NounA.

Let's use some examples to explain this Japanese grammar clearer...

1.	これは外国人のための日本語の辞書です。 kore wa gaikokujin no tame no nihongo no jisho desu Meaning: This is a Japanese dictionary for (the benefit of) foreigner.
2.	これは子供のための本です。 kore wa kodomo no tame no hon desu Meaning: This is a book for (the benefit of) children.
3.	これはベジタリアンのための料理です。 kore wa bejitarian no tame no ryouri desu Meaning: This is a dish for (the benefit of) vegetarian.
4.	これはお年寄りのための席です。 kore wa otoshiyori no tame no seki desu Meaning: This is a seat for (the benefit of) elderly.

Sentence Pattern 2

Another sentence pattern is by changing the second noun with a verb (action).

Noun のために Verb
Noun no tame ni Verb

This one describes the action (Verb) is for the benefit of Noun.

1.	家族のために一生懸命働いています。 kazoku no tame ni isshoukenmei hataraite imasu Meaning: I am working very hard for the benefit of my family.
2.	恋人のためにケーキを作っています。 koibito no tame ni ke-ki wo tsukutte imasu Meaning: I am making cake for (the benefit of) my lover.
3.	目が悪い学生のために先生は字を大きく書いています。 me ga warui gakusei no tame ni sensei wa ji wo ookiku kaite imasu Meaning: Teacher is writing the word with big strokes for (the benefit of) students with bad eyesight.
4.	日本語が分からない人のために英語で話してください。 nihongo ga wakaranai hito no tame ni eigo de hanashite kudasai Meaning: Please speak in English for (the benefit of) people who doesn't understand Japanese.

Just remember to use ための (tame no) to describe noun and ために (tame ni) to describe action.

For the Purpose of / In Order To

Sentence Pattern 3

There is another sentence pattern for this Japanese grammar which means "For the purpose of" or "In order to"...

Verb(dict-form) ために Action
Verb(dict-form) tame ni Action

In this case, a dictionary-form verb is placed before tame ni instead of a noun.

1.	医者になるために一生懸命勉強しています。 isha ni naru tame ni isshoukenmei benkyoushite imasu Meaning: I am studying very hard in order to become a doctor.
2.	弟は自転車を買うためにお金を貯めています。 otouto wa jitensha wo kau tame ni okane wo tamete imasu Meaning: My younger brother is saving money in order to buy a bicycle.
3.	漫画を読むために日本語を勉強しています。 manga wo yomu tame ni nihongo wo benkyoushite imasu Meaning: I am studying Japanese in order to read manga.
4.	友達は料理を習うためにイタリアへ行きました。 tomodachi wa ryouri wo narau tame ni itaria e ikimashita Meaning: My friend went to Italy in order to learn cooking.

In summary, this Japanese grammar tame is used to express the benefit/purpose of something or doing some action.

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Previous - Lesson 3: Japanese Sentence no desu

Next - Lesson 5: Potential Form & dekiru

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