All JLPT grammar
N3

~とおり

Express that something matches instructions, a plan, or what was said; 'just as', 'exactly as', 'according to'.

At a glance

~とおり means "just as", "exactly as" or "according to". It is used when something matches an instruction, a plan, a prediction or what someone said.

Verb (dictionary / た-form) + とおり(に)
Noun + の + とおり(に)
Noun + どおり(に)

説明書せつめいしょのとおりに作つくりました。 I made it exactly as the instructions said.


How to form it

Attaches to Form Example
Verb (dictionary form) Vる + とおり 私わたしが言いうとおりに
Verb (た-form) Vた + とおり 聞きいたとおり
Noun N + のとおり 地図ちずのとおりに
Noun N + どおり 予定よていどおりに
この / その / あの この + とおり このとおりに
  • Before a verb: とおりに + verb. The に is often dropped in casual speech.
  • Before a noun: とおりの + noun.
  • At the end of a sentence: とおりだ / とおりです.

The register is neutral, so it works in both polite and casual speech.

Examples

  • 先生せんせいが言いったとおり、宿題しゅくだいをやりました。

    I did my homework exactly as the teacher said.

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The rest of the lesson

When to use it, common mistakes, nuances and a quick check, with spaced repetition to make it stick.

Read the full lesson for free