Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 1: 4/21

つもりで

With the intention of doing, Instead of..., Act as if or pretend, Believing that..., Thinking that...

Structure Legend

Structure

Verb + つもり
[な]Adjective + + つもり
Noun + + つもり

Act as if・pretend・be convinced:
Verb[た]+ つもり

Details

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    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

Rare Kanji

積もり

About つもりで

つもりで, being a combination of the noun つもり 'intention', and the case marking particleで 'with', this structure is used in several different ways, depending on what comes before it. When combined with verbs, な-Adjectives or nouns in their plain forms, it implies that (A) is being done with the intention of (B).
As つもり is a noun, の will be required before it when grouped with other nouns, while な will be required when linked to な-Adjectives.
  • (なに)()わないつもりで(あたら)しく出来(でき)たショッピングモールへ()ったが、色々(いろいろ)()ってしまった。
    I went to the newly built shopping mall without any intention of buying anything, but I ended up purchasing various things.
  • この(さかな)新鮮(しんせん)つもりで()ったのに、パックから()したらものすごいにおいがした。
    I bought this fish intending for it to be fresh, but when I took it out of the package, it smelled unbelievably bad.
  • 冗談(じょうだん)つもりで()っただけなのに、相手(あいて)傷付(きずつ)けてしまった。
    Despite saying it with the intention of making a joke, I ended up hurting their feelings.
However, when paired with verbs in the past form, つもりで implies that the speaker is 'acting as though (A)', 'pretending that (A)', or 'is convinced that (A)'.
  • 今度(こんど)は、主人公(しゅじんこう)になったつもりで()んでみてください。
    Next, try reading it as if you were the main character.
  • パーティーでダンサーになったつもりで、みんなの(まえ)(おど)った。
    At a party, I danced in front of everybody, as if I was a dancer.
This meaning simply comes from the intention of something being contrary to what is actually true.

Examples

  • 日本(にほん)()つもりで日本語(にほんご)勉強(べんきょう)しています。

    I am studying Japanese as if I went to Japan.

  • 今月末(こんげつまつ)までに完成(かんせい)させるつもりで毎日(まいにち)努力(どりょく)をした。

    With the intention of finishing by the end of the month, I worked on it every day.

  • 土産(みやげ)つもりで()ったが、()べてしまった。

    I bought it with the intention of (giving it) as a gift, but ended up eating it.

  • 馳走(ちそう)するつもりで()ったのに、おごってもらうことになった。

    Despite going with the intention of treating everyone, they treated me.

  • こっそり(かえ)つもりでペン()りたのに、(かえ)ところを()られてしまった。

    Despite borrowing the pen with the intention of returning it secretly, just as I was returning it, I was seen.

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つもりで – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (10 in total)

  • EdBunpro

    EdBunpro

    About 2 years ago

    Would someone be able to explain the difference of つもりで & ふりをする when looking at the context of “act/pretend”?

    Specificially under the example sentence

    車掌しゃしょうになったつもりで、毎日まいにち電車でんしゃっている

    Entering in ふりをして brings up the hint saying “Nice guess! Can you use a grammar point that also carries the meaning of “with the intention of.”” The hint makes sense when the context of act/pretend isn’t being used, but otherwise I’m just left a little lost. Maybe it’s example sentence throwing me off, but hopefully someone smarter than me can help point me in the right direction!

    @Fuga if you have some time can you shed some light on this?

  • Fuga

    Fuga

    About 2 years ago

    つもりで and ふりをする both mean pretend, but with a slight difference in nuance. In the sentence, 車掌しゃしょうになったつもりで, つもりで has the nuance of ‘as if I am the conductor of the train’. When I read this, I imagine that the speaker is thinking in his head that he is the conductor when he rides the train. When つもりで is replaced with ふりをして, this sentence would have the nuance that the person is ‘impersonating’ as a conductor, as in, he is dressed like a conductor and imitates what the conductor does.

    I hope that helps you understand the difference a little better.

  • EdBunpro

    EdBunpro

    About 2 years ago

    Aaaaaa yes 100% that makes sense, thanks!!

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