何(なん)のために

なんのために

expression

for what purpose; why; what for

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(なん)のために勉強(べんきょう)するの?

What are you studying for?

この機械(きかい)は何(なん)のために使(つか)うのですか。

What is this machine used for?

こんなに頑張(がんば)って、何(なん)のためにやっているのか分(わ)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(なん) (what) + の (possessive) + ために (for the sake of). Asks about purpose or goal, not about cause.

Common collocations

何(なん)のために生(い)きるのか: what do we live for?
何(なん)のために使(つか)う: what is this used for
何(なん)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(なぜ): why (formal) — written/formal variant of なぜ
目的(もくてき)は何(なん)ですか: what is the purpose? — formal/direct equivalent

Related Words

Compare: なぜ (why)

Compare: どうして (why, how come)

general

Added 2026.6.8 17:26 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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