Purpose
Goal, Motive
noun
When your eye is on the target you know your purpose. You also have your eye on the goal (that's the target, after all!).
This word uses a on'yomi reading for 目 (もく). You've seen it in 目標 and 目次, so hopefully it won't be too hard at this point, but here's a mnemonic just in case:
Imagine telling someone your life's purpose, only to have them mock (もく) you. They mock your 目的 and laugh right in your face. Now you're not so sure if your goal is going to work…
目的を考える
to think about one's objective
目的を見失う
to lose one's purpose
目的を持つ
to have an objective
目的に合う
to suit one's purpose
目的に合わせる
to have suit one's purpose
目的にする
to make something one's goal
目的となる
to become one's goal
目的とする
to make something one's goal
目的とちがう
to differ from the objective
一体、目的は何なんですか？
What the heck is your goal?
学生さんのサポートを目的としたビジネスをしています。
I'm running a business aimed at supporting students.
私たちの目的は、皆さんに楽しく日本語を勉強してもらうことです。
Our goal is for everyone to enjoy studying Japanese.