1.
for what purpose; why; what for
Asks the purpose or reason for an action, focused on intended outcome rather than cause. Often used rhetorically to question whether something is worthwhile.
何のために勉強するの?
What are you studying for?
この機械は何のために使うのですか。
What is this machine used for?
こんなに頑張って、何のためにやっているのか分からなくなった。
I've worked so hard that I no longer know what I'm doing it all for.
Compound of 何 (what) + の (possessive) + ために (for the sake of). Asks about purpose or goal, not about cause.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 何のために生きるのか: what do we live for?
- 何のために使う: what is this used for
- 何のためにこんなことを: why on earth am I doing this
SIMILAR WORDS:
- なぜ: why — asks about cause/reason; broader
- どうして: why, how come — colloquial; asks about cause
- 何故: why (formal) — written/formal variant of なぜ
- 目的は何ですか: what is the purpose? — formal/direct equivalent