เพื่อ
in order to
Native recording
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- 1 in order to、so that
- 2 for、for the sake of、for the purpose of
เพื่อ marks the purpose, intended use, or beneficiary of an action or thing. It is used like “in order to,” “for the purpose of,” or “for someone/something.”
in order to、so that
Used before a verb phrase or clause to show the purpose of an action: what someone does something in order to achieve.
for、for the sake of、for the purpose of
Used before a noun to show who or what something is for, or what purpose something is intended for.
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ฉันทำอาหารเพื่อครอบครัว chǎn tham aahǎan phʉ̂a khrɔ̂ɔpkhrua I cook for my family. ฉันทำอาหารเพื่อครอบครัว details
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พวกเรายืนหยัดต่อสู้เพื่อความยุติธรรม phûak raw yʉʉnyàt tɔ̀ɔsûu phʉ̂a khwaam yúttìtham He kept standing up and fighting for justice. พวกเรายืนหยัดต่อสู้เพื่อความยุติธรรม details
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เงินนี้เพื่อคุณ ŋən níi phʉ̂a khun This money is for you. เงินนี้เพื่อคุณ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of เพื่อ is movement toward a purpose, benefit, or intended use. With a verb phrase, it means “in order to do something.” With a noun, it means “for someone/something” or “for the purpose of something.” The pattern เพื่อให้ is very common when the result is expressed as a full clause, meaning “so that” or “in order to make/let something happen.” It is common in both speech and writing, while forms like เพื่อการ... sound more formal or explanatory.
Usage
เพื่อ is used across everyday conversation, school, work, news, explanations, and official documents. It appears when explaining why someone studies or works, what a tool or system is intended for, or who benefits from an action.
Caution
Do not use เพื่อ for a simple cause. For “because it is raining,” use เพราะ or a similar cause marker, not เพื่อ. เพื่อ is mainly for purpose, intended result, or benefit.
Differences from similar words
1 in order to synonyms
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เพราะ gives the cause or reason, like “because.” เพื่อ gives the purpose or intended result, like “in order to,” and is not normally used for a simple cause.
2 for synonyms
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สำหรับ often marks the intended recipient, audience, or assigned use, like “for” or “for use by.” เพื่อ more strongly highlights the purpose, goal, or benefit behind the action or thing.