Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
with the intention of…, as if…, believing that…
🎯 Primary Function
To express the intention, belief, or attitude with which an action is performed, indicating the basis or condition for the subsequent action.
📋 Grammar Structure
Verb (plain form) + つもりで
Noun + の + つもりで
い-adjective + つもりで
な-adjective + な + つもりで
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Can be used in formal contexts, particularly when expressing strong resolve or a firm belief behind a plan or action.
Informal Situations
Very common in everyday conversation to express intention, assumption, or acting “as if”.
Written Language
Frequently appears in written materials like novels, articles, and essays.
Spoken Language
Widely used in spoken Japanese.
💡 Common Applications
Expressing strong determination or resolve
Indicates that the following action is being done with a firm intention or decision in mind, often implying readiness for potential consequences.
Example: 来年日本へ引っ越すつもりで、今から貯金を始めました。(Rainen Nihon e hikosu tsumori de, ima kara chokin o hajimemashita.) – I started saving money from now, with the intention of moving to Japan next year.
Acting “as if” or pretending something is true
Describes an action performed as though a certain condition or situation is real, often for practice, pretense, or assumption.
Example: 本番のつもりで、練習に集中しなさい。(Honban no tsumori de, renshuu ni shuuchuu shinasai.) – Concentrate on practice, as if it were the real performance.
Acting based on a belief or assumption
Indicates that the following action is taken because the speaker strongly believes something to be true, even if it might be incorrect.
Example: 彼女は合格するつもりで、まだ全然勉強していません。(Kanojo wa goukaku suru tsumori de, mada zenzen benkyou shite imasen.) – She hasn’t studied at all, believing that she will pass.
Frequency
Commonly encountered in N3 and N2 level Japanese.
Difficulty
Intermediate (JLPT N3)
Example Sentences
失敗してもいいつもりで、新しい企画に挑戦した。(Shippai shite mo ii tsumori de, atarashii kikaku ni chousen shita.)
I challenged the new project, with the mindset that it’s okay even if I fail.
これは練習のつもりでやってみよう。(Kore wa renshuu no tsumori de yatte miyou.)
Let’s try doing this as if it were practice.
先生になったつもりで、友達に日本語を教えています。(Sensei ni natta tsumori de, tomodachi ni Nihongo o oshiete imasu.)
I am teaching Japanese to my friend as if I were a teacher.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Connects the intention/belief/mindset to a subsequent action
The つもりで phrase explains the *basis* or *condition* under which the action following it is performed.
Example: 一生懸命勉強するつもりで、図書館に行った。(Isshoukenmei benkyou suru tsumori de, toshokan ni itta.) – I went to the library *with the intention of* studying very hard.
Difference from ~つもりです (~tsumori desu)
~つもりです expresses a future intention or plan. ~つもりで uses that intention/plan (or a belief/assumption) as the premise for another action.
Example: 来年日本へ引っ越すつもりです。(Rainen Nihon e hikosu tsumori desu.) – I intend to move to Japan next year. (Simple plan)
来年日本へ引っ越すつもりで、今から貯金をしています。(Rainen Nihon e hikosu tsumori de, ima kara chokin o shite imasu.) – With the intention of moving to Japan next year, I am saving money from now. (Intention as a reason for current action)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using ~つもりです instead of ~つもりで when connecting to an action
✅ Use ~つもりで to show the intention/belief is the basis for a subsequent verb.
~つもりです ends the sentence, stating the intention. ~つもりで connects the intention to the following clause.
❌ Incorrect conjugation before つもりで
✅ Use plain form for verbs and い-adjectives, の for nouns, and な for な-adjectives.
This pattern follows standard noun/adjective modification rules before つもり.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral. The politeness depends on the verb and overall sentence structure that follows つもりで.
Social Situations: Used in various social situations where expressing resolve, pretense, or the basis for an action is necessary.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese grammar; no significant regional variations in usage.
🔍 Subtle Differences
~つもりで vs ~ために (~tame ni)
~ために focuses purely on the purpose or goal. ~つもりで focuses on the *mindset* or *intention* while performing the action.
When to use: Use ~ために when emphasizing the objective/purpose. Use ~つもりで when emphasizing the feeling, resolve, or assumption behind the action.
~つもりで vs ~と思って (~to omotte)
~と思って often implies a more direct thought or belief, sometimes with less emphasis on strong resolve. ~つもりで can carry a stronger sense of determination or acting *as if* something is true.
When to use: ~と思って is broader for expressing thoughts/beliefs leading to an action. ~つもりで is more specific to intention, acting “as if,” or a firm belief as the *basis* for the action.
undefined
undefined
When to use: undefined
📝 Conjugation Notes
• Verb: Plain form (present, past, negative) • Noun: Noun + の • い-adjective: い-adjective (plain form) • な-adjective: な-adjective + な
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced smoothly as part of the connecting phrase. The え in で is often slightly reduced.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of 「つもり」 as “intention,” “mindset,” or “belief,” and 「で」 as indicating “with” or “by way of.” So, “With/by way of the intention/mindset [X], I do [Y].”
Practice Exercises
彼はもう大学生になった＿＿＿＿、高校の制服を着て学校に行っている。
つもりです
つもりで
ために
ように
この難しい課題を一人でやり遂げる＿＿＿＿、頑張ります。
つもりです
つもりで
ために
ように
3 Views
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.