Japatan
Formation
- Vない形(「ない」をとる) + んがため(に)
- Vない形(「ない」をとる) + んがための + N
- する → せんがため
- 来る → 来(こ)んがため
Explanation
A literary expression of a strong purpose: "determined to ~ at any cost." Take the ない form, drop ない, and add ん (勝たんがため, 知らんがため); する becomes せんがため. Before a noun, use 〜んがためのN. It can suggest that someone is going to great or excessive lengths for the goal.
Examples
夢を実現せんがため、彼はすべてを捨てて研究に打ち込んだ。
Determined to realize his dream, he gave up everything and devoted himself to research.
生き残らんがために、その会社は大胆な改革を行った。
In order to survive, the company carried out bold reforms.
勝たんがための作戦とはいえ、少しやりすぎではないか。
Even if it's a strategy for winning, isn't it going a bit too far?
真実を知らんがため、彼女は何度も現地に足を運んだ。
Determined to learn the truth, she visited the site again and again.
Notes
Almost never used in conversation. Like 〜べく, it is only for volitional actions and is not followed by requests or orders. Note that する becomes せん, not しん.
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1世界記録を破ら（ ）、彼は十年間練習を続けてきた。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 んがため
"Determined to break the world record, he has kept practicing for ten years." んがため shows a strong purpose. The other choices do not make sense here.
2合格（ ）がため、彼は寝る間も惜しんで勉強した。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 1 せん
"Determined to pass, he studied, barely taking time to sleep." する becomes せんがため. The other forms do not exist.
3「んがため」の使い方が正しいものはどれか。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 新記録を出さんがため、彼は毎日厳しい練習を続けた。
Sentence 4 means "Determined to set a new record, he kept training hard every day." 1, 2, and 3 use non-volitional verbs (be sunny, catch a cold, get tired), so they are wrong.
