Every-so-often Grammar/Phrase/Word

Immortality consists largely of boredom. -- Zefrem Cochrane, "Metamorphosis", stardate 3219.8

よう に (you ni)2

2004-03-15
よう に (you ni)2
Basic meaning: so [that]
Comments: Do something in such a way that ~
Key sentences:
  1. 読めるように字をきれいに書いて下さい。
    yomeru you ni ji o kirei ni kaite kudasai.
    Please write neatly so I can read it.
    See footnote 1.
  2. 風邪を引かないように気をつけて下さい。
    kaze o hikanai you ni ki o tukete kudasai.
    Please take care [of yourself] so you don't catch a cold.
    See footnote 2.
Formation: (plain imperfect verb) よう に
  • 読めるように
    yomeru you ni
  • 引かないように
    hikanai you ni
Additional examples:
  1. 僕が分かるように山田さんはゆっくり日本語を話してくれた。
    boku ga wakaru you ni yamadasan wa yukkuri nihongo o hanasite kureta.
    Mr. Tanaka spoke Japanese slowly so I could understand.
    See footnote 3.
  2. 遅れないようにタクシーで行た。
    okurenai you ni takusi de itta.
    I went by taxi so I wouldn't be late.
Usage notes:

While this form can be used with almost any plain imperfect verb, it is most commonly used with verbs in the negative and potential forms.

Footnotes:
  1. More natural is the following sentence:
    読みやすい字を書いて下さい。
    yomiyasui ji o kaite kudasai.
    Please write so I can read it. (Lit. Please write easy-to-read characters.)
  2. This is somewhat commonly said, especially during cold winter months.
  3. More natural is the following sentence:
    山田さんはゆっくり日本語を話してくれたので、分かりやすかった。
    yamadasan wa yukkuri nihongo o hanasite kureta node, wakariyasukatta.
    Mr. Yamada spoke Japanese slowly so I could understand. (lit. Because Mr. Yamada spoke Japanese slowly for me, it was easy to understand.)

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