N4 Lesson 42 · Midnight Encounter / Season 2 · みんなの日本語 第 42 課

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日本語で読む / Show Japanese

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Episode 42: For a Purpose

Everything Mike did that night pointed at one thing — the mission. Each move had a reason.
その夜よるyoru、マイクの すべての行動こうどうkoudouは一ひとhitoつの ことを指さsaしていた ── 任務にんむninmu。すべてに、理由りゆうriyuuが あった。

He had crossed the ocean for a single goal: to learn the truth.
彼かれkareは、たった一ひとhitoつの目的もくてきmokutekiの ために海うみumiを渡わたwataってきた ── 真実しんじつshinjitsuを 知しshiるために。

In his hand, an old brass key — not for a door, but for a safe.
手てteの中なかnakaに、古ふるfuruびた真鍮しんちゅうshinchuuの鍵かぎkagi ── ドアの ためではなく、金庫きんこkinkoの ために。

Reaching the building alone took thirty minutes — through alleys, past cameras, in the dark.
その建物たてものtatemonoに着つtsuくだけで30さんじゅっsanjuk分ぷんpunかかった ── 路地ろじrojiを抜ぬnuけ、カメラを避さsaけ、闇やみyamiの中なかnakaを。

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Key Sentences

1. N の ために (for the sake of N)

• Mike prepared for the mission.
• 为了任务，迈克做了准备。 / 為了任務，麥克做了準備。
• Vì nhiệm vụ, Mike đã chuẩn bị.

2. V-辞書形 ために (in order to V)

• He came to Tokyo in order to learn the truth.
• 为了知道真相，他来到了东京。 / 為了知道真相，他來到了東京。
• Để biết sự thật, anh ấy đã đến Tokyo.

3. V-辞書形 のに 使います (use it to V)

• This key is used to open the safe.
• 这把钥匙用来开保险柜。 / 這把鑰匙用來開保險箱。
• Chìa khóa này dùng để mở két sắt.

4. V-辞書形 のに …かかります (takes [time/money] to V)

• It took 30 minutes to get into the building.
• 进那栋楼花了30分钟。 / 進那棟樓花了30分鐘。
• Để vào tòa nhà đó mất 30 phút.

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Vocabulary

日本語	English	简体	繁體	Tiếng Việt
為ためtameに	for the sake of, in order to	为了	為了	vì, để
目的もくてきmokuteki	purpose, goal	目的	目的	mục đích
任務にんむninmu	mission, duty	任务	任務	nhiệm vụ
金庫きんこkinko	safe, vault	保险柜	保險箱	két sắt
準備じゅんびjunbiします	to prepare	准备	準備	chuẩn bị
開あaけます	to open	打开	打開	mở
真実しんじつshinjitsu	truth	真相	真相	sự thật
かかります	to take (time/money)	花费	花費	tốn (thời gian/tiền)

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Grammar Patterns

Grammar Picture

ために vs のに — what’s the difference?

ために = a goal/reason (why you act). のに = a use or cost (what something is good for, or how much it takes). 「鍵を 作る ために お金を 払った」 (paid in order to make a key) vs 「鍵を 作る のに お金が かかった」 (it cost money to make the key).

Don’t confuse this のに with 「〜のに (although)」

This lesson’s のに attaches to a dictionary-form verb + 使う/便利/かかる. The “although” のに (L45) follows plain forms and shows contrast. Same kana, different job.

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Roleplay Practice

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How do you say this in Japanese?

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How to Use This Lesson

For Self-Study (45-50 minutes)

1. Read Grammar Patterns (8 min) — separate purpose (ために) from use/cost (のに).
2. Practice Key Sentences (10 min).
3. Learn Vocabulary (10 min).
4. Read Mini Story (5 min) — For a Purpose.
5. Roleplay (10 min) — explain why you do something.
6. Review tomorrow.

Check Yourself (click to expand)

Q1. 「真実を知る ___、東京へ来ました」 (in order to):

• A. ために
• B. のに
• C. ので

Show answer

✓ A. ために

Q2. 「この鍵は金庫を開ける ___ 使います」:

• A. のに
• B. ために
• C. ように

Show answer

✓ A. のに (use).

Q3. 「ビルに入る のに 30分 ___」:

• A. かかりました
• B. しました
• C. ありました

Show answer

✓ A. かかりました

Q4. In the story, what is the key for?

• A. Opening a safe
• B. A door
• C. A car

Show answer

✓ A. 金庫を 開ける のに.

Q5. Say why you study Japanese, using ために.

Try 「〜ために、日本語を勉強しています」.

Show answer

Sample: 日本で 働く ために、日本語を 勉強しています。

For Teachers (click to expand)

For Teachers (45-60 minutes in class)

• Sort task (10 min): give mixed sentences; students label each ために (purpose) or のに (use/cost).
• Pair drill (15 min): “Why do you ～?” → answer with ために.
• Tools (10 min): name objects, describe with 「〜のに使います / 便利です」.
• Roleplay (15 min): explain a plan and its costs (のに かかります).

Note: Pre-empt the L45 「〜のに (although)」 confusion now — name the difference explicitly.

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