つもりでtsumori de“with the intention of; as if”

つもりで means with the intention of; as if. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to do something with a certain intention or imagined role.

This grammar point often appears in neutral Japanese. If you want to do something with a certain intention or imagined role, つもりで is a useful pattern to learn.

What does つもりで mean?

Use つもりで when you want to do something with a certain intention or imagined role.

Natural translations include:

• with the intention of; as if
• with the intention of
• with the intention of / as if

How to form つもりで

Verb dictionary / た-form / Nounの + つもりで

Examples of the pattern:

• 練習するつもりで
• 旅行したつもりで
• 先生のつもりで

When is つもりで used?

Use つもりで 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

つもりで example sentences

• 試験を受けるつもりで、練習問題を解いた。 — I solved practice questions as if taking the exam.
• 旅行したつもりで、お金を貯金した。 — I saved money as if I had traveled.
• 先生になったつもりで、友達に説明した。 — I explained to my friend as if I were the teacher.
• 本番のつもりで練習してください。 — Please practice as if it were the real performance.
• プレゼントのつもりで買いました。 — I bought it with the intention of giving it as a present.

Nuance of つもりで

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

This matters because つもりで 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.

つもりで vs ように

Both つもりで and ように can appear in related situations, but they are different.

つもりで:

• means with the intention of; as if
• fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above

ように:

• ように can mean like/as if; つもりで emphasizes the speaker’s intention or imagined mindset

Quick contrast examples:

• Target: 試験を受けるつもりで、練習問題を解いた。 — I solved practice questions as if taking the exam.
• Compare: Try replacing it with ように and check whether the nuance still matches.

Common mistakes with つもりで

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Using つもりで with the wrong form
• Confusing つもりで with ように

Is つもりで on the JLPT?

Yes. つもりで 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 つもりで

• Write one sentence using つもりで.
• Contrast つもりで with ように.
• Make a JLPT-style sentence where the context makes the meaning clear.

Learning path for つもりで

To learn つもりで efficiently, review volitional forms first, then contrast intention, attempt, refusal, and plans that changed.

1. First, make sure you can form つもりで without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with ように, ようとする.
3. Finally, write sentences about trying, being about to do something, or deciding not to act; then check whether replacing つもりで with ようとしない changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• ように — so that; in order to.
• ようとする — because it helps contrast intention, attempt, and refusal to act.
• ようとしない — because it helps contrast intention, attempt, and refusal to act.
• つもりだった — because it helps contrast intention, attempt, and refusal to act.

Learn つもりで with Hane

If you want to review つもりで 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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