Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
‘Toori ni’ (とおりに) means ‘as,’ ‘exactly as,’ or ‘in accordance with.’ It is used to express that an action or state follows a certain pattern, instruction, plan, or thought without change.
🎯 Primary Function
To indicate that an action is performed in the same way as a model, instruction, or expectation.
📋 Grammar Structure
V-辞書形 / V-た形 + とおりに; Noun + の + とおりに; Noun + どおりに
Not commonly used with i-adjectives directly.
Not commonly used with na-adjectives directly.
V-ない + とおりに (Less common, usually V-た or V-辞書形 is used).
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Used in business to confirm that tasks are being completed according to orders or manuals.
Informal Situations
Used among friends to discuss movies, expectations, or shared instructions.
Written Language
Used in manuals, reports, and instructions to ensure precision.
Spoken Language
Very common; often shortened to ‘〜のとおり’ or ‘〜どおり’ at the end of a sentence.
💡 Common Applications
Following Instructions
Used when performing a task by strictly following steps provided by someone else.
Example: 教わったとおりに作る (Make it exactly as taught).
Meeting Expectations/Plans
Used to describe situations that align perfectly with a prior schedule or mental image.
Example: 計画どおりに進む (Proceeding according to plan).
Confirming Thoughts
Commonly used to express that an outcome matches one’s intuition or prediction.
Example: 思ったとおりだ (It’s just as I thought).
Frequency
High. It is an essential expression in both daily conversation and professional environments.
Difficulty
JLPT N3 (Intermediate)
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Example Sentences
Example #1
説明書に書いてあるとおりに、組み立ててください。
Furigana: せつめいしょにかいてあるとおりに、くみたててください。
Romaji: Setsumeisho ni kaite aru toori ni, kumitatete kudasai.
English: Please assemble it exactly as written in the manual.
Example #2
会議は予定どおりに終わりました。
Furigana: かいぎはよていどおりにおわりました。
Romaji: Kaigi wa yotei doori ni owarimashita.
English: The meeting ended according to schedule.
Example #3
私が教えたとおりにやってみてください。
Furigana: わたしがおしえたとおりにやってみてください。
Romaji: Watashi ga oshieta toori ni yatte mite kudasai.
English: Please do it exactly as I taught you.
Example #4
思ったとおり、彼はパーティーに来ませんでした。
Furigana: おもったとおり、かれはパーティーにきませんでした。
Romaji: Omotta toori, kare wa paatii ni kimasen deshita.
English: As I thought, he didn’t come to the party.
Example #5
レシピのとおりに作ったら、おいしくできました。
Furigana: レシピのとおりにつくったら、おいしくできました。
Romaji: Reshipi no toori ni tsukuttara, oishiku dekimashita.
English: I made the cake according to the recipe, and it turned out well.
Example #6
試験の結果は予想どおりでした。
Furigana: しけんのけっかはよそうどおりでした。
Romaji: Shiken no kekka wa yosou doori deshita.
English: The results of the exam were just as expected.
Example #7
私が言うとおりに、絵を描いてください。
Furigana: わたしがいうとおりに、えをかいてください。
Romaji: Watashi ga iu toori ni, e o kaite kudasai.
English: Please draw the picture according to what I say.
Example #8
地図のとおりに行けば、すぐ駅に着きます。
Furigana: ちずのとおりにいけば、すぐえきにきます。
Romaji: Chizu no toori ni ikeba, sugu eki ni tsukimasu.
English: If you go according to the map, you will find the station soon.
Example #9
希望どおりの会社に就職できました。
Furigana: きぼうどおりのかいしゃにしゅうしょくできました。
Romaji: Kibou doori no kaisha ni shuushoku dekimashita.
English: I was able to find a job at the company exactly as I had hoped.
Example #10
あなたの言ったとおりになりました。
Furigana: あなたのいったとおりになりました。
Romaji: Anata no itta toori ni narimashita.
English: It happened exactly as you said.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Tense Consistency
The past tense (V-ta) refers to something already said, while the dictionary form (V-u) refers to instructions being given in real-time or general truths.
Example: 言ったとおり (As said) vs. 言うとおり (As [I] say)
Omission of ‘Ni’
Note that the particle ‘ni’ is often omitted when the phrase acts as a modifier or when ending a sentence.
Example: 計画どおり (Keikaku doori)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ 計画とおりに (Keikaku toori ni)
✅ Noun + の + とおりに OR Noun + どおりに
You cannot say ‘Noun とおりに’ without the particle ‘no’ or turning it into ‘doori’.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral. Suitable for all politeness levels depending on the verb ending.
Social Situations: Essential for maintaining accuracy in social or professional duties.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese used nationwide.
🔍 Subtle Differences
～とおりに vs. ～ままに
‘Toori ni’ emphasizes following a model or instruction accurately. ‘Mama ni’ emphasizes leaving something in its current state or acting on impulse/emotion.
When to use: Use ‘toori ni’ for manuals and plans; use ‘mama ni’ for feelings or unchanging states.
～のとおり vs. ～のように
‘Toori’ implies ‘exactly the same,’ whereas ‘youni’ implies ‘similar to’ or ‘in the manner of.’
When to use: Use ‘toori’ for 100% compliance.
📝 Conjugation Notes
When ‘toori’ is attached directly to a noun without the particle ‘no’, it undergoes ‘Rendaku’ (sequential voicing) and becomes ‘doori’ (どおり).
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pay attention to the long ‘o’ sound in ‘toori’ (と・お・り). Ensure the voiced ‘doori’ is clear when attached directly to nouns.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of ‘Toori’ as its literal meaning ‘road/path’. You are walking exactly on the ‘path’ that was set by the instruction or plan.
Other Grammar
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