Processing keyword: ～つもりで (〜tsumori de)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～つもりで (〜tsumori de)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the Japanese grammar point ～つもりで (〜tsumori de). This expression is used to convey doing something with a particular intention or under a certain assumption. Understanding how to use ～つもりで will help you express your mindset or approach when performing actions in Japanese.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

The phrase ～つもりで means:

• "With the intention of..."
• "Acting as if..."
• "Assuming that..." It indicates that someone performs an action with a specific mindset or behaves as if something is true, even if it isn't.

Structure

Formation

1. Verb (casual past form) + つもりで
   • Verb (た-form) + つもりで
2. Noun + の + つもりで

Formation Diagram

Expression	Structure	Example
With the intention of doing	Verb (dictionary form) + つもりで	勉強するつもりで (benkyō suru tsumori de)
Acting as if one had done...	Verb (た-form) + つもりで	食べたつもりで (tabeta tsumori de)
Assuming as (noun)	Noun + の + つもりで	鳥のつもりで (tori no tsumori de)

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3. Comparative Analysis

～つもりだ vs. ～つもりで

• ～つもりだ
  • Expresses one's intention or plan to do something.
  • Example: 明日行くつもりだ。
    Ashita iku tsumori da.
    "I intend to go tomorrow."
• ～つもりで
  • Describes doing something with the mindset of something else.
  • Example: 遊んだつもりで貯金する。
    Asonda tsumori de chokin suru.
    "I will save money as if I had played."

～と思う vs. ～つもりで

• ～と思う
  • Expresses a thought or belief.
  • Example: 彼は来ると思う。
    Kare wa kuru to omou.
    "I think he will come."
• ～つもりで
  • Focuses on the intention or assumption behind an action.
  • Example: 彼が来たつもりで準備する。
    Kare ga kita tsumori de junbi suru.
    "I will prepare assuming he has come."

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4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

Example 1

旅行に行ったつもりで、貯金します。
Ryokō ni itta tsumori de, chokin shimasu.

• Translation: I will save money as if I had gone on a trip.

Example 2

新しいゲームを買ったつもりで、この本を買いました。
Atarashii gēmu o katta tsumori de, kono hon o kaimashita.

• Translation: I bought this book instead, pretending I had bought a new game.

Example 3

プロのつもりで、このプロジェクトに取り組みます。
Puro no tsumori de, kono purojekuto ni torikumimasu.

• Translation: I will tackle this project as if I were a professional.

Example 4

ダイエットしたつもりで、ケーキを我慢しました。
Daietto shita tsumori de, kēki o gaman shimashita.

• Translation: I refrained from eating cake, acting as if I were on a diet.

Context Variations

Formal

自分が社長になったつもりで、意見を述べてください。
Jibun ga shachō ni natta tsumori de, iken o nobete kudasai.

• Translation: Please share your opinions as if you were the president.

Informal

もうお金を全部使ったつもりで、節約する。
Mō okane o zenbu tsukatta tsumori de, setsuyaku suru.

• Translation: I'll save money, pretending I've already spent it all.

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5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

In Japanese culture, consideration for others and modesty are valued traits. Using ～つもりで allows speakers to express humility or to frame their actions from a certain perspective, which aligns with cultural norms of introspection and empathy.

Levels of Politeness

• The politeness level is adjusted through verb endings and additional polite forms.
• Plain Form Example: 友達になったつもりで話しましょう。
  Tomodachi ni natta tsumori de hanashimashō.
  "Let's talk as if we've become friends."
• Polite Form Example: お客様のつもりで対応いたします。
  Okyaku-sama no tsumori de taiō itashimasu.
  "I will attend to you as if you were a customer."

Idiomatic Expressions

死んだつもりで (Shinda tsumori de)

• Meaning: "As if one were dead" — putting in one's utmost effort without concern for consequences.
• Example: 死んだつもりで、この試験に挑む。
  Shinda tsumori de, kono shiken ni idomu.
  "I will tackle this exam as if my life depends on it."

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Confusing ～つもりで with ～つもりだ
   • Incorrect: 毎日運動するつもりで。
     Mainichi undō suru tsumori de.
     (Intending to say "I intend to exercise every day.")
   • Correct: 毎日運動するつもりだ。
     Mainichi undō suru tsumori da.
     "I intend to exercise every day."
   • Explanation: Use ～つもりだ to express intention, not ～つもりで.
2. Using the Wrong Verb Form
   • Incorrect: 映画を見るつもりで、ポップコーンを買った。
     Eiga o miru tsumori de, poppukōn o katta.
     (Intending to say "I bought popcorn with the intention of watching a movie.")
   • Correct: 映画を観たつもりで、ポップコーンを買った。
     Eiga o mita tsumori de, poppukōn o katta.
     "I bought popcorn as if I had watched a movie."
   • Explanation: When using ～つもりで, ensure the verb form matches the intended meaning.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Remember that で in ～つもりで indicates the means or manner, so think of it as "with the mindset of."
• Practice Creating Sentences: Use scenarios from your daily life to make sentences with ～つもりで.
• Compare with Similar Structures: Understand the nuances by comparing ～つもりで with ～つもりだ and ～と思う.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～つもりで is used to express doing something with the intention or mindset of something else.
• It often conveys acting under an assumption or pretending a certain condition is true.
• Be careful not to confuse ～つもりで with ～つもりだ, which expresses intention.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you say "I will practice as if tomorrow is the concert" using ～つもりで?
2. What is the main difference between ～つもりで and ～つもりだ?
3. Translate to Japanese using ～つもりで: "She spends money as if she were rich."

Answers

1. 明日がコンサートのつもりで練習します。
   Ashita ga konsāto no tsumori de renshū shimasu.
2. ～つもりで expresses doing something with the mindset or assumption of something else, while ～つもりだ expresses one's intention to do something.
3. 彼女はお金持ちのつもりでお金を使います。
   Kanojo wa okanemochi no tsumori de okane o tsukaimasu.

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By understanding and practicing ～つもりで, you can express nuanced thoughts about intentions and assumptions in Japanese, making your speech more natural and expressive.

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