Translation guide
The English preposition 'for' has many uses. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: purpose, benefit, duration, exchange, reason, and more. Japanese uses particles like に, のために, 間, にとって, and others depending on the meaning.
Expressing what something is used for or its intended purpose.
Use the particle に after a noun to indicate purpose when the noun implies an action (e.g., 買い物に). Often used with verbs of motion like 行く, 来る.
Use のに after a verb in dictionary form to mean 'for the purpose of doing something'. It is often followed by adjectives like 便利 (convenient), 必要 (necessary), or verbs like 使う (use).
These scissors are used for cutting paper.
The suffix 用 means 'for the use of' or 'intended for'. It attaches to nouns. Common in compound words.
Doing something for someone's benefit or for a cause.
ために means 'for the sake of' or 'for the benefit of'. It can be used with people, things, or abstract goals. More formal than に.
Indicating how long an action or state continues.
Use 間 (あいだ) after a time expression to mean 'for' a duration. の間 is optional with some time words. Often used with ずっと for emphasis.
Indicating what is given in return, especially money.
Use で after a price to mean 'for (a price)'. It marks the means or cost.
Giving a reason or cause for something.
Use で after a noun to indicate a reason or cause. Often used with ので or から for clauses.
Expressing agreement or support for something.
賛成 means 'agreement' or 'support'. Use に to mark what you are for.
Are you for the plan?
Indicating the place someone is heading to.
Use へ or に with motion verbs to indicate destination. へ emphasizes direction, に emphasizes destination. Often translated as 'for' in English when combined with 'leave' or 'head'.
a train for Tokyo
Introducing a topic or expressing 'concerning' someone/something.
にとって means 'for' in the sense of 'from the standpoint of' or 'as far as ~ is concerned'. It is used to express judgments or evaluations relevant to a person or group.
English 'for' is often not expressed by a single Japanese word. The correct particle or pattern depends on the meaning. Using のために for everything will sound unnatural. Pay attention to the function of 'for' in the sentence.
He bought flowers for me. (Not 私のために in this case, as it's a giving situation.)
ために is used when the subject has control over the outcome (volitional). ように is used when the outcome is not directly controllable or for hopes/wishes. For 'for the purpose of', ために is more direct.
It's a good book for studying Japanese.
This is for home use.
I work for my family.
I exercise for my health.
When the action involves giving or doing something for someone, use に to mark the recipient. Common verbs: あげる, くれる, もらう, してあげる, してくれる.
I bought a present for my friend.
My mother made a lunch for me.
I studied for two hours.
Thank you for everything you've done for me over the long period.
ぶり means 'for the first time in (a period)'. It emphasizes the gap since the last occurrence.
I returned to my hometown for the first time in ten years.
I bought this book for 1,000 yen.
They sell it for 10 dollars.
A formal expression meaning 'in exchange for'. Used in written or formal contexts.
We will hand over the goods in exchange for cash.
The game was canceled because of rain. (lit. for rain)
I was absent from school due to illness.
ので gives a reason or cause. It is slightly more formal than から and often used to explain circumstances.
Please open the window, for it's hot.
支持する means 'to support'. More formal, often used in political or organizational contexts.
He is for reform.
He went to Osaka. (He left for Osaka.)
For me, family is the most important.
For him, that's an easy thing.
としては means 'as for' or 'in the capacity of'. It highlights a role or perspective.
For my part, I cannot agree.
I went to Japan to study Japanese. (I can control studying.)
I'm studying so that I can speak Japanese. (Ability is a state, not directly controlled.)