The Difference Between〜ように (yō Ni) Vs 〜ために (tame Ni)｜Japanese Grammar (N5–N3)

(Joy saving for a car [Tameni] vs. Joy studying to be able to speak [Youni])

“I study to pass the exam.”
“I study so that I can speak Japanese.”
In Japanese, both are “in order to,” but the grammar changes based on your control over the result. 〜ために (Tameni) is for direct actions, and 〜ように (Youni) is for changes in state. Let’s master the difference with Joy and Ken!

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy and Ken are talking about their dreams.

Joy

私は、車（くるま）を買（か）うために、貯金（ちょきん）しています。
ケンさんの夢（ゆめ）は何ですか？
(I am saving money “in order to” buy a car. What is your dream, Ken?)

Ken

僕は、日本語（にほんご）が話（はな）せるように、毎日勉強しています。
(I study every day “so that” I can speak Japanese.)

💡 Explanation

Is it an “Action” or a “State”?

Point 1: 〜Tameni (〜ために) = Willpower / Action

Use with: Volitional Verbs (Actions you control)
Used when you have a direct goal and you are taking action to achieve it. The subject controls the outcome 100%.

車を買うために働く。
(I work to buy a car. [Action])
日本へ行くためにチケットを取る。
(I get a ticket to go to Japan. [Action])

Point 2: 〜Youni (〜ように) = State / Potential

Use with: Potential Form, Intransitive Verbs, Negative Form
Used when the goal is a “change of state” or “becoming able to do something.” It implies “so that X happens.”

話せるように勉強する。
(I study so that I can speak. [Potential])
忘れないようにメモする。
(I take notes so that I don’t forget. [Negative])
治（なお）るように祈（いの）る。
(I pray so that I get better. [State change])

📊 Comparison Table

Word	Verb Type	Nuance
ために (Tameni)	Dictionary Form (Taberu, Iku)	Active Goal “I do X to achieve Y.”
ように (Youni)	Potential (Can) Negative (Nai) Intransitive	State / Wish “So that Y happens.”