Skip to content
道Nihongo Path

JLPT N4 grammar comparison

〜ために (purpose) "in order to / for the sake of" vs 〜のに (purpose / utility) "for the purpose of / to"

By Nihongo PathUpdated

The difference

From the 〜ために (purpose) "in order to / for the sake of" lesson

〜のに (purpose / utility) "for the purpose of / to": のに is for what a thing is used for (紙を切るのに使う). ために is for a person's goal.

From the 〜のに (purpose / utility) "for the purpose of / to" lesson

〜ために (purpose) "in order to / for the sake of": ために gives a person's goal and can be followed by any action. のに only works with 使う / 便利 / 必要 / かかる / いい-type predicates.

Side by side

〜ために (purpose) "in order to / for the sake of"

tame ni · JLPT N4

Meaning
Purpose with a volitional (controllable) verb, or benefit for a noun.
Formation
V-dictionary (volitional) + ために: 働くために, 買うためにNoun + のために: 家族のために, 健康のためにSame subject in both clausesAlso cause: N + のために / V-た + ために = because of (事故のために)

  1. 日本で働くために、日本語を勉強しています。

    にほんで はたらくために、にほんごを べんきょうしています。

    I'm studying Japanese in order to work in Japan.

  2. 家族のために、頑張ります。

    かぞくのために、がんばります。

    I'll do my best for my family.

Full lesson on 〜ために (purpose) "in order to / for the sake of"

〜のに (purpose / utility) "for the purpose of / to"

noni (mokuteki) · JLPT N4

Meaning
Indicates what something is used or needed for — usually with 使う, 便利だ, 必要だ, かかる, いい.
Formation
V-dictionary + のに + 使う / 便利だ / 必要だ / いい / かかるNoun + に + the same predicates: 旅行に便利だ, 料理に使うThe verb before のに is in the dictionary form

  1. このはさみは紙を切るのに使います。

    この はさみは かみを きるのに つかいます。

    These scissors are used for cutting paper.

  2. 駅まで行くのに三十分かかる。

    えきまで いくのに さんじゅっぷん かかる。

    It takes 30 minutes to get to the station.

Full lesson on 〜のに (purpose / utility) "for the purpose of / to"

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 〜ために (purpose) "in order to / for the sake of" and 〜のに (purpose / utility) "for the purpose of / to"?

のに is for what a thing is used for (紙を切るのに使う). ために is for a person's goal.

When do you use 〜のに (purpose / utility) "for the purpose of / to" instead of 〜ために (purpose) "in order to / for the sake of"?

ために gives a person's goal and can be followed by any action. のに only works with 使う / 便利 / 必要 / かかる / いい-type predicates.