Structure
そのため + (に) + Phrase
Details
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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), 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.
- 子供達にはなんの不自由もない生活をしてほしい。そのために毎日夜遅くまで仕事をしている。I want my kids to have a life without any struggles. For the sake of that, I work until late at night everyday.
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新しい車が欲しいけど今は住宅ローンで精一杯。そのために車を買うのを我慢している。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 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's readings.
Related
Examples
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5人の家族を養う。その為に僕は働く。
I support a family of 5. For that reason I work. (for the sake of that)
夜遅くまで仕事をした。その為寝坊してしまった。
I worked until late. Because of that I overslept. (for the sake of that)
会社が倒産した。その為に失業した。
The company went bankrupt. Because of that I lost my job. (for the sake of that)
私は鉄道オタクです。いろんな電車の写真を撮るのですが、その為に徹夜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)
彼女の夢を実現させたい。その為にできるだけのことはしたいと思っている。
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)
mrnoone
English translation:
For that reason
because of thatStructure:
そのため(に) + PhraseView on Bunpro
conan
fjdksleiwoqp
I get そのために, それで、and そこで mixed up pretty much every time.
Could anyone explain the difference?
mrnoone
@fjdksleiwoqp
Heyだから is the default, it doesn’t have restrictions.
それで is very similar to だから、but it expresses reason/cause relation weaker than だから.
In addition to that それで is rarely used (but some people do it and do not consider it as an error!) when asking for permission, requesting something or giving orders.そこで expresses some action taken to solve some issue. In other words, it is only used when expressing the reason for some action.
Like それで it is rarely used when asking for permission, requesting something or giving orders.
Not to mention it has another meaning - “then”.そのため is a more formal expression, similar to だから. It expresses negative cause for something very often (but it is not a rule, it can work for neutral or positive ones too).
Well, that is basical...
fjdksleiwoqp
This helps clear it up - thank you for the detailed explanation.
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!
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