How to Use “ように (youni)” in Japanese Grammar: A Clear Guide

The Japanese grammar point "ように (youni)" is incredibly versatile, expressing a range of meanings from purpose and effort to similarity and wishes. Mastering its nuances is key to sounding more natural and precise in your Japanese communication. This guide will break down the primary uses of "ように," providing clear explanations and examples.

 

ように (youni) for Purpose or Goal

One of the most common applications of "ように" is to express a purpose or a goal. When used this way, it often translates to "so that," "in order to," or "to ensure that." It typically follows the plain form of a verb (non-past) or a negative verb form. The key here is that "ように" implies a change or an action taken to achieve a desired state.

• Verb (potential form) + ように: This is frequently seen when expressing an action taken to make something possible.
  • 日本語が話せるように、毎日勉強しています。 (Nihongo ga hanaseru youni, mainichi benkyou shiteimasu.)
    • I study every day so that I can speak Japanese.
  • 電車に間に合うように、早く家を出ました。 (Densha ni maniau youni, hayaku ie wo demashita.)
    • I left home early in order to catch the train.
• Verb (volitional form) + ように (rare, but sometimes implies an effort towards a goal): While less common than the potential form, you might encounter it in specific contexts.
  • みんなが楽しめるように、ゲームを準備しました。 (Minna ga tanoshimeru youni, geemu wo junbi shimashita.)
    • I prepared games so that everyone could enjoy themselves.
• Verb (negative form) + ように: This expresses an action taken to prevent something from happening.
  • 風邪をひかないように、温かい服を着ました。 (Kaze wo hikanai youni, atatakai fuku wo kimashita.)
    • I wore warm clothes so that I wouldn't catch a cold.
  • 忘れ物をしないように、出発前に確認しました。 (Wasuremono wo shinai youni, shuppatsu mae ni kakunin shimashita.)
    • I checked before leaving so that I wouldn't forget anything.

 

ように (youni) for Commands, Requests, or Advice

"ように" can also be used to convey a soft command, request, or advice, often in a more indirect and polite manner than a direct imperative. This form often appears with verbs like 言う (iu - to say), 注意する (chuui suru - to warn), 頼む (tanomu - to request), or 伝える (tsutaeru - to convey).

• 先生は学生に宿題を出すように言いました。 (Sensei wa gakusei ni shukudai wo dasu youni iimashita.)
  • The teacher told the students to submit their homework.
• 医者はもっと休むようにと私にアドバイスしました。 (Isha wa motto yasumu youni to watashi ni adobaisu shimashita.)
  • The doctor advised me to rest more.
• 忘れずに連絡するように、彼に伝えてください。 (Wasurezu ni renraku suru youni, kare ni tsutaete kudasai.)
  • Please tell him to contact us without fail.

If you're still building your grammar foundation, be sure to check out our detailed guide on Japanese Grammar from N5 to N3 to understand how particles like “ので” fit into the bigger picture.

 

ように (youni) for Similarity or Appearance (～のように)

When "ように" is preceded by a noun or a plain form of a verb and followed by の, it becomes "～のように" (no youni) and expresses similarity, resemblance, or appearance. It translates to "like," "as if," or "as though."

• 彼女はモデルのように美しい。 (Kanojo wa moderu no youni utsukushii.)
  • She is beautiful like a model.
• まるで夢のように素敵な一日でした。 (Maru de yume no youni suteki na ichinichi deshita.)
  • It was a wonderful day as if it were a dream.
• 彼は何もなかったかのように振る舞った。 (Kare wa nanimo nakatta ka no youni furumatta.)
  • He acted as if nothing had happened. (Note the "かのように" for hypothetical situations.)

 

ように (youni) for Wishes or Hopes (～ますように)

This is a common expression used to convey a wish or a hope, similar to saying "I hope that..." or "May it be that...". It usually appears at the end of a sentence and often with the ます-form of a verb, though plain forms are also possible.

• みんなが幸せになれますように。 (Minna ga shiawase ni naremasu youni.)
  • May everyone be happy. / I hope everyone becomes happy.
• 試験に合格できますように。 (Shiken ni goukaku dekimasu youni.)
  • I hope I can pass the exam.
• 早く良くなりますように。 (Hayaku yoku narimasu youni.)
  • I hope you get well soon.

 

ようにする (youni suru) and ようになる (youni naru)

These are important set phrases involving "ように":

• ～ようにする (youni suru): This means "to make an effort to do something," "to try to do something," or "to make it a point to do something." It implies a conscious decision and ongoing effort.
  • 毎日、日本語を話すようにしています。 (Mainichi, Nihongo wo hanasu youni shiteimasu.)
    • I make an effort to speak Japanese every day.
  • 遅刻しないようにします。 (Chikoku shinai youni shimasu.)
    • I will make sure not to be late.
• ～ようになる (youni naru): This means "to come to be able to do something," "to reach a state where something happens naturally," or "to become able to." It signifies a change or development in ability or habit that occurred naturally or through effort.
  • 日本語が話せるようになりました。 (Nihongo ga hanaseru youni narimashita.)
    • I have come to be able to speak Japanese. (Implies a progression to this ability)
  • 最近、早起きするようになりました。 (Saikin, hayaoki suru youni narimashita.)
    • Recently, I have started to wake up early. (Implies a new habit)

Want to structure your studies more effectively? Read our comprehensive post on How to Learn Japanese for strategies that work at every level.

 

ように vs. ために

While both "ように" and "ために (tame ni)" can express purpose, there's a subtle but important distinction:

• ように: Often used when the purpose involves a change of state, ability, or a general outcome that is not directly controlled by the subject's immediate action. It frequently co-occurs with potential verbs or verbs describing natural phenomena.
  • 運転できるように、教習所に通っています。 (Unten dekiru youni, kyoushuujo ni kayotteimasu.)
    • I'm attending driving school so that I can drive. (Focus on the ability to drive.)
• ために: Used when the purpose is a direct result of the subject's intentional action, often with volitional verbs. It emphasizes the goal for which the action is performed.
  • 運転免許を取るために、教習所に通っています。 (Unten menkyo wo toru tame ni, kyoushuujo ni kayotteimasu.)
    • I'm attending driving school in order to get a driver's license. (Focus on the specific goal of getting the license.)

In many cases, the choice between "ように" and "ために" can depend on the nuance you want to convey.

 

Other Essential Japanese Phrases

Let's clarify the meanings of the other Japanese words you asked about.

1.ますようにの意味は？ (Masu youni no imi wa?)

This literally asks "What is the meaning of ますように?". As explained above, "～ますように" is a common grammatical pattern used to express a wish or a hope. It means "I hope that...", "May...", or "I wish that...".

どうしても meaning Japanese？ (Doushitemo meaning Japanese?)

「どうしても (doushitemo)」 means "no matter what," "by all means," "at any cost," "absolutely," or "somehow or other." It conveys a strong sense of determination or an unavoidable situation.

• Example 1 (Strong determination): どうしてもこの仕事を成功させたい。 (Doushitemo kono shigoto wo seikou sasetai.)
  • I absolutely want to make this project a success.
• Example 2 (Unavoidable): どうしても行かなければならない。 (Doushitemo ikanakereba naranai.)
  • I absolutely have to go (no matter what).

だれか Meaning in Japanese？ (Dareka Meaning in Japanese?)

「だれか (dareka)」 means "someone," "somebody," or "anyone." It is used when referring to an unspecified person.

• Example 1: だれかいますか？ (Dareka imasu ka?)
  • Is anyone here? / Is there someone?
• Example 2: だれかに手伝ってもらいたい。 (Dareka ni tetsudatte moraitai.)
  • I want someone to help me.

 

What does どんな mean in Japanese？ (Donna mean in Japanese?)

「どんな (donna)」 means "what kind of," "what sort of," or "what kind of a (noun)." It is used to ask about the nature, type, or characteristic of something. It always precedes a noun.

• Example 1: どんな本が好きですか？ (Donna hon ga suki desu ka?)
  • What kind of books do you like?
• Example 2: どんな人がタイプですか？ (Donna hito ga taipu desu ka?)
  • What kind of person is your type?

Since “ので” pronunciation is soft and polite, it’s important to get your accent right—avoid common pitfalls with our guide on Mistakes in Japanese Pronunciation.

To sound more natural when using grammar like “ので,” explore our article on How to Develop a Natural Japanese Accent.

 

どこも Meaning in Japanese？ (Dokomo Meaning in Japanese?)

「どこも (dokomo)」 means "everywhere" (in affirmative sentences) or "nowhere/not anywhere" (in negative sentences). It refers to all places or no places.

• Example 1 (Affirmative): どこも人が多い。 (Dokomo hito ga ooi.)
  • There are many people everywhere.
• Example 2 (Negative): どこも行かなかった。 (Dokomo ikanakatta.)
  • I didn't go anywhere. / I went nowhere.

 

What is どれ in Japanese？ (Dore in Japanese?)

「どれ (dore)」 means "which one." It is used when asking to choose from three or more specific items. For two items, you would use 「どちら (dochira)」.

• Example 1: この中で、どれがいいですか？ (Kono naka de, dore ga ii desu ka?)
  • Among these, which one is good?
• Example 2: あなたの傘はどれですか？ (Anata no kasa wa dore desu ka?)
  • Which one is your umbrella?

 

なんかい Meaning in Japanese？ (Nankai Meaning in Japanese?)

「なんかい (nankai)」 can have two main meanings depending on the kanji used:

1. 何回 (nankai): "how many times?" This is the more common meaning you'll encounter in daily conversation.
   • Example: 何回日本に行ったことがありますか？ (Nankai Nihon ni itta koto ga arimasu ka?)
     • How many times have you been to Japan?
2. 何階 (nankai): "what floor?" This is used when asking about floors in a building.
   • Example: 会社は何階ですか？ (Kaisha wa nankai desu ka?)
     • What floor is the company on?

The pronunciation is the same, so context is key to understanding which meaning is intended.

 

どうやって meaning Japanese？ (Douyatte meaning Japanese?)

「どうやって (douyatte)」 means "how" or "by what means." It is used to inquire about the method or process of doing something.

• Example 1: どうやってここに来ましたか？ (Douyatte koko ni kimashita ka?)
  • How did you come here?
• Example 2: どうやってその情報を知りましたか？ (Douyatte sono jouhou wo shirimashita ka?)
  • How did you learn that information?

いつ Meaning in Japanese？ (Itsu Meaning in Japanese?)

「いつ (itsu)」 means "when." It is used to ask about the time or date of an event.

• Example 1: いつ日本に来ましたか？ (Itsu Nihon ni kimashita ka?)
  • When did you come to Japan?
• Example 2: いつから日本語を勉強していますか？ (Itsu kara Nihongo wo benkyou shiteimasu ka?)
  • Since when have you been studying Japanese?

Using “ので” in formal contexts? Learn how to apply polite grammar properly when you write emails and letters in Japanese.

 

Final Thoughts

Mastering ように in its various forms—ようにする, ようになる, ますように, and のような—opens up expressive possibilities for intermediate learners. Whether you’re making polite wishes, expressing intentions, or forming comparisons, the versatility of ように grammar makes it indispensable for JLPT N3 and beyond.

If you're preparing for JLPT, understanding the context of each usage is key. Pair this knowledge with ample sentence practice, and you’ll be able to confidently interpret and use this crucial grammar structure in real-life situations.