By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
The structure ～んがために is a formal and literary expression meaning “in order to…” or “for the purpose of…”. It expresses a strong intention or goal, often involving effort or sacrifice.
Structure:
Verb (plain form) + んがため(に)- * Use the negative stem of the verb + 「んがため」
- する → せんがため
Note: This is a formal structure, rarely used in daily conversation. It often appears in writing, speeches, or historical contexts.
💡 Example Sentences
- 夢を叶えんがために、彼はすべてを捧げた。
In order to make his dream come true, he sacrificed everything. - 勝利せんがために、選手たちは懸命に練習した。
The players trained hard in order to win. - 命を救わんがために、彼は危険を顧みず飛び込んだ。
To save a life, he jumped in without regard for the danger. - 国を守らんがために、兵士たちは戦った。
In order to protect the country, the soldiers fought. - 成功せんがために、彼女は日夜努力を惜しまなかった。
She worked tirelessly day and night to succeed.
📝 Grammar Notes
This structure emphasizes the **goal-oriented nature** of an action. The verb before んがために often shows a **strong desire**, and the overall tone is often serious or dramatic.
Commonly used with:
- 夢 (dream)
- 成功 (success)
- 勝利 (victory)
- 自由 (freedom)
- 命を救う (save a life)
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks
Use ～んがために to complete the following:
- 彼は自由を得＿＿＿＿＿＿、戦い続けた。
- 夢を叶え＿＿＿＿＿＿、彼女は上京した。
- 命を救わ＿＿＿＿＿＿、医者は懸命に手術をした。
✔ Answers:
- 彼は自由を得んがために、戦い続けた。
- 夢を叶えんがために、彼女は上京した。
- 命を救わんがために、医者は懸命に手術をした。
2. Translate to Japanese
- He risked his life in order to save his friend.
- They trained every day to win the championship.
✔ Suggested Answers:
- 友人を救わんがために、彼は命をかけた。
- 選手権で勝たんがために、彼らは毎日練習した。
📚 Related Grammar
- ～ために: Similar meaning, but more common and less formal.
- ～ように: Often used to express purpose in casual or neutral contexts.
- ～べく: Formal and similar structure, often interchangeable.
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: In order to…, For the purpose of…
- Level: JLPT N1
- Form: Verb negative stem + んがために
- Style: Formal, literary
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
