in order to, so that~ (ように) – Japanese Grammar ように (you ni)

Q: What JLPT level is ように?

JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Q: How do you use ように in a sentence?

Attach ように to the appropriate verb or noun form. In order to, so that~

Q: Is ように formal or casual Japanese?

ように can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

ように

N3 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

you ni

in order to, so that~

ようとする you to suru わざと wazato こと koto 割に wari ni ばかりでなく bakari denaku ながらも nagara mo について ni tsuite と共に to tomo ni そうもない sou mo nai ついに tsui ni じゃない janai べきだ beki da 確かに tashika ni とおりに toori ni て済む te sumu てもかまわない temo kamawanai にしたがって ni shitagatte を通じて /を通して o tsuujite /o tooshite とは限らない towa kagiranai 直す naosu ようとする you to suru わざと wazato こと koto 割に wari ni ばかりでなく bakari denaku ながらも nagara mo について ni tsuite と共に to tomo ni そうもない sou mo nai ついに tsui ni じゃない janai べきだ beki da 確かに tashika ni とおりに toori ni て済む te sumu てもかまわない temo kamawanai にしたがって ni shitagatte を通じて /を通して o tsuujite /o tooshite とは限らない towa kagiranai 直す naosu

🃏 Flashcard

ように

you ni

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in order to, so that~

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N3

Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Reading you ni

Post ID 50988

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

in order to, so that~

📖 How to use it

ように expresses purpose or aim, meaning 'in order to' or 'so that', and attaches to the plain non-past form of verbs.

Attaches to Attach to the plain non-past form of a verb (dictionary form for non-past actions, or negative form like ない form). For example, できるように, わかるように, 食べられるように. It can also follow ない-stem + ない, e.g., 忘れないように.

ように is used to state a goal or target that you hope to achieve, especially when the action you take is indirect or when the result depends on something else. It often translates as 'so that' or 'in order to'. Unlike ために, which is used for direct purposes with the same subject, ように can be used when the subject of the purpose clause is different from the main clause, or when the verb in the purpose is a state or potential form. For example, you might say 子供が寝られるように、静かにしている (I am quiet so that the child can sleep). Here, the speaker is quiet, but the child is the one who sleeps. This is a key nuance: ように often implies that you can't directly control the outcome, only set the conditions.

忘れないように、ノートにメモしておく。

Wasurenai you ni, nooto ni memo shite oku.

I'll write a note so I won't forget.

日本語が上手に話せるように、毎日練習しています。

Nihongo ga jouzu ni hanaseru you ni, mainichi renshuu shite imasu.

I practice every day so that I can speak Japanese well.

電車に乗り遅れないように、早く家を出た。

Densha ni noriokurenai you ni, hayaku ie o deta.

I left home early so that I wouldn't miss the train.

Not ためにために is used when the purpose is a clear, direct goal and the subject of the purpose is the same as the main clause, often with volitional verbs. ように is for indirect goals, states, or when subjects differ. For example, 留学するために、お金を貯めている (I'm saving money to study abroad) vs. 留学できるように、お金を貯めている (I'm saving money so that I can study abroad).

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

ように

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat ように three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using ように. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N3 Patterns

← Previous

ような気がする

have a feeling that; feels like; seems like

ように見える

to look; to seem; to appear~

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern ように mean? ▼

In order to, so that~

What JLPT level is ように? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use ように in a sentence? ▼

Attach ように (you ni) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is ように formal or casual Japanese? ▼

ように is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember ように long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.