N3 Advice, Obligation, and Prohibition

~ように (soft command): meaning, usage and examples

~ように (soft command) means: so that... / in such a way that... (used as a soft command).

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 肉にくだけじゃなく、野菜やさいも食たべるように。

   Eat not only meat but also vegetables. (Make sure you eat vegetables.)

2. 明日あしたから、もっと早はやく来くるように。

   From tomorrow, make sure you come earlier.

3. 明日あしたのテストに遅おくれないように。

   Make sure you aren't late for tomorrow's test.

4. 先生せんせいに、毎日まいにち日記にっきを書かくように言いわれました。

   My teacher told me to write in a diary every day.

When to use it

Ending a sentence with ように gives an indirect instruction: "make sure you," "be sure to." Teachers, bosses, and parents use it to tell someone what to do or not to do: 遅おくれないように ("Don't be late"). It also reports an order: 先生せんせいに早はやく来くるように言いわれた ("The teacher told me to come early").

Nuance

Said from someone higher to someone lower, so it sounds like a teacher or a boss talking. It is softer than a direct command, but it is still a command. Do not use it to someone above you; ようにしてください is the polite request form.

Compare

なさい is a direct command, often from parents: 早はやく寝ねなさい. こと is for written rules and notices: 廊下ろうかを走はしらないこと. ように is spoken and slightly softer. Do not confuse it with ようにする ("make a point of doing").

Tip: The most common use is negative: 忘わすれないように ("Don't forget"). Teachers say it at the end of class all the time.