〜んがため(に)

In Order to (Archaic)

Level 4Sounds Like ngatame(ni)

〜んがため（に） is a highly formal, archaic-sounding pattern used to express a goal pursued with intense resolve or desperation. It translates to 'in order to' or 'for the sake of,' but carries a much heavier, more solemn nuance than the standard 〜ために.

How It Works

The pattern 〜んがため（に） is used when someone takes a significant or extreme action to achieve a specific, often vital, goal.

1. Morphology and Conjugation:
It attaches to the 未然形 (mizenkei), or the negative stem of verbs. While it looks like a negative contraction, the 「ん」 actually derives from the archaic volitional auxiliary 「む」, meaning 'intending to.'

  • 五段 (godan) Verbs: Change the final vowel to 'a' and add 「ん」. (e.g., 書く（かく） → 書かんがため)
  • 一段 (ichidan) Verbs: Remove 「る」 and add 「ん」. (e.g., 食べる（たべる） → 食べんがため)
  • Irregular 「する」: Becomes せんがため. This is the most common form you will encounter.
  • Irregular 「来る（くる）」: Becomes こんがため.

2. Usage Notes:

  • It is often followed by the particle に, but this can be omitted.
  • To modify a noun, use 〜んがための + [Noun].
  • It cannot be followed by sentences expressing a request, command, or suggestion (e.g., 'Do X in order to Y').
  • It implies a level of determination or desperation not found in 〜ために.

Examples (4)

  1. 生きんがために、彼はプライドを捨てて働いた。

    In order to survive, he cast aside his pride and worked.

    Word by Word: To intend to live, he pride discarded and worked.

    The use of 「生きんがため」 suggests that working was a desperate necessity for survival.

  2. Ｎ１に合格せんがため、彼は寝る間も惜しんで勉強している。

    In order to pass the N1, he is studying even at the expense of sleep.

    Word by Word: N1 to pass intending to do, he sleep time even begrudging is studying.

    This uses the irregular 「せんがため」（from 「する」） to show intense resolve to pass the exam.

  3. それは、真実を明らかにせんがための苦肉の策であった。

    That was a desperate measure taken in order to bring the truth to light.

    Word by Word: That, truth clearly intending to do for the sake of desperate measure was.

    Here, 「せんがための」 modifies the noun 「苦肉の策（くにくのさく）」 (desperate measure).

  4. 夢を実現せんがため、故郷を離れて一人上京した。

    In order to realize my dream, I left my hometown and went to Tokyo alone.

    Word by Word: Dream realize intending to do, hometown left alone went to Tokyo.

    The pattern emphasizes the strong personal will behind the life-changing decision to move.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the incorrect conjugation for 「する」 verbs.

    合格しんがために勉強する。
    合格せんがために勉強する。

    For 「する」 verbs, you must use the archaic form 「せん」. 「しん」 or 「するん」 are grammatically incorrect for this specific pattern.

  • Using the pattern with a command or request.

    合格せんがために、頑張ってください。
    合格するために、頑張ってください。

    Because this pattern expresses the subject's own strong internal resolve, it sounds unnatural when used to give advice or commands to others. Use the neutral 〜ために instead.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

〜んがため(に)Level 4In Order to (Archaic)

Learn This First

〜んがため(に) is a formal, archaic expression meaning 'in order to'. It is constructed by taking the negative stem of a verb (the same base used for the 'ない' form), adding the classical volitional particle 'ん' (a contraction of 'む'), followed by the particle 'が' and the noun 'ため'. Understanding the modern '〜ために' is essential for the meaning, while knowledge of verb stems and particle functions helps explain the structure.

Words in This Pattern

んがため為