とおりに

とおりに means as; in the same way as. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to do something according to a model, instruction, or expectation.

This grammar point often appears in neutral Japanese. If you want to do something according to a model, instruction, or expectation, とおりに is a useful pattern to learn.

What does とおりに mean?

Use とおりに when you want to do something according to a model, instruction, or expectation.

Natural translations include:

• as; in the same way as
• as
• as / in the same way as

How to form とおりに

Nounの / Verb dictionary・た-form + とおりに

Examples of the pattern:

• 説明のとおりに
• 言われたとおりに
• 見本のとおりに

When is とおりに used?

Use とおりに in situations like:

• explaining grammar in context
• answering JLPT reading questions
• making natural Japanese sentences

Tone and register:

• neutral
• Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

とおりに example sentences

• 説明のとおりに、ボタンを押してください。 — Please press the button as explained.
• 先生に言われたとおりに、宿題を出しました。 — I submitted the homework as the teacher told me.
• 見本のとおりに書いてください。 — Please write it like the sample.
• 予想したとおりに、試験は難しかった。 — As expected, the exam was difficult.
• 計画どおりに進んでいます。 — It is progressing according to plan.

Nuance of とおりに

The key nuance is a natural way to express “as; in the same way as” with the right context and tone.

This matters because とおりに does more than match a single English phrase. It shows how the speaker frames the condition, timing, example, role, intention, or contrast in the sentence.

For example:

• In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
• Compared with ように, it has a different focus and level of formality.

とおりに vs ように

Both とおりに and ように can appear in related situations, but they are different.

とおりに:

• means as; in the same way as
• fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above

ように:

• ように can mean “like” or “so that”; とおりに means following exactly as a model or instruction says

Quick contrast examples:

• Target: 説明のとおりに、ボタンを押してください。 — Please press the button as explained.
• Compare: Try replacing it with ように and check whether the nuance still matches.

Common mistakes with とおりに

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Using とおりに with the wrong form
• Confusing とおりに with ように
• Translating it too literally instead of reading the whole sentence

Is とおりに on the JLPT?

Yes. とおりに is commonly taught as JLPT N3 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for とおりに

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Write one sentence using とおりに.
• Contrast とおりに with ように.
• Make a JLPT-style sentence where the context makes the meaning clear.

Learning path for とおりに

To learn とおりに efficiently, review the formation first, then compare it with the closest existing grammar point before writing your own sentence. You can also review basic particles like について and に, then focus on the relationship each formal marker creates.

1. First, make sure you can form とおりに without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with ように, or with に対して（にたいして）. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences where the grammar point’s nuance is necessary — whether about society, research, policy, opinions, or reports — then check whether replacing とおりに with にとって changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• ように — because it is the closest comparison used in this article
• に対して（にたいして） — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading
• にとって — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading
• について — because it is another formal relation marker common in JLPT reading

Learn とおりに with Hane

If you want to review とおりに together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

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• JLPT N3 grammar lessons