How to Use Toori in Natural Japanese

Have you ever been in the middle of a Japanese conversation and heard someone say “その通り!” (sono toori) with such conviction that you knew they meant business? Or perhaps you’ve wondered how native speakers effortlessly express concepts like “exactly as planned” or “just as I thought” with such natural flow? The secret weapon in their linguistic arsenal is toori – one of Japanese’s most versatile and essential expressions that can transform your speaking from textbook stiff to naturally fluent.

Whether you’re preparing for the JLPT N3 exam or simply want to sound more natural in everyday conversations, mastering toori will unlock a new level of expressiveness in your Japanese journey. This comprehensive guide will take you from confusion to confidence, showing you exactly how to wield this powerful grammatical tool like a native speaker.

What Exactly Is Toori in Japanese Grammar?

Toori means “exactly,” “just like that,” or “in that way” in Japanese. This expression serves as a linguistic bridge that connects actions, thoughts, and situations to their expected or previously mentioned outcomes.

Think of toori as your verbal GPS – it guides conversations by indicating that something follows a predetermined path or matches an established pattern. When you use toori correctly, you’re essentially telling your listener, “This is happening exactly as we discussed” or “This matches what was said before.”

The Foundation: How Toori Works

The beauty of toori lies in its flexibility. Unlike rigid grammatical structures, toori adapts to different situations while maintaining its core meaning of correspondence and alignment.

Basic Structure:

• Verb + とおり (toori)
• Noun + どおり (doori)
• Noun + の + とおり (no toori)

Notice how the pronunciation shifts to “doori” when following certain nouns – this phonetic change makes pronunciation smoother and more natural.

Essential Toori Patterns Every Japanese Learner Must Know

Pattern 1: Following Instructions and Plans

When you want to express that something is done exactly according to instructions or plans, toori becomes your best friend.

Example:

• Japanese: レシピのとおりに作りました。
• Romaji: Reshipi no toori ni tsukurimashita.
• English: I made it exactly according to the recipe.

This pattern is incredibly useful in workplace situations, cooking contexts, or any scenario where precision matters.

Pattern 2: Confirming Predictions and Expectations

Native speakers frequently use toori to validate their predictions or confirm that events unfolded as expected.

Example:

• Japanese: 予想したとおり、試験は難しかった。
• Romaji: Yosou shita toori, shiken wa muzukashikatta.
• English: Just as I predicted, the exam was difficult.

Pattern 3: Time-Related Expressions

Time expressions with toori create natural-sounding Japanese that flows beautifully in conversation.

Example:

• Japanese: 約束の時間どおりに到着しました。
• Romaji: Yakusoku no jikan doori ni touchaku shimashita.
• English: I arrived exactly at the promised time.

Power Expressions: Toori Combinations That Sound Native

Sono Toori: The Ultimate Agreement

“その通り” (sono toori) might be the most satisfying phrase in Japanese. It’s the equivalent of saying “Exactly!” or “That’s absolutely right!” with complete conviction.

Usage Context:

• Agreeing with someone’s opinion
• Confirming accurate information
• Showing strong support for a statement

Example Dialogue:

• A: 日本語の勉強は毎日続けることが大切ですね。
• B: その通りです！
• Translation: A: “Studying Japanese consistently every day is important, isn’t it?” B: “Exactly!”

Iu Toori: “Just As You Said”

This combination validates what someone previously stated, making it perfect for showing that you listened and that their words proved accurate.

Example:

• Japanese: 先生の言うとおり、この文法は簡単でした。
• Romaji: Sensei no iu toori, kono bunpou wa kantan deshita.
• English: Just as the teacher said, this grammar was easy.

Omoi Toori: When Plans Come Together

“思い通り” (omoi toori) expresses satisfaction when things go according to your desires or plans. It’s the Japanese equivalent of “everything went according to plan.”

Example:

• Japanese: 今日は思い通りに進みました。
• Romaji: Kyou wa omoi doori ni susumimashita.
• English: Today everything went just as I wanted.

Advanced Toori Applications for Natural Conversation

Expressing Disappointment with Omoi Toori

Interestingly, omoi toori also works in negative contexts to express frustration when things don’t go as planned.

Example:

• Japanese: 思い通りにいかないこともある。
• Romaji: Omoi doori ni ikanai koto mo aru.
• English: Sometimes things don’t go the way you want them to.

Professional and Formal Contexts

In business settings, toori adds precision and professionalism to your communication. It shows attention to detail and respect for established procedures.

Example:

• Japanese: 契約書のとおりに実行いたします。
• Romaji: Keiyakusho no toori ni jikkou itashimasu.
• English: We will execute exactly according to the contract.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Pronunciation Pitfalls

Remember the pronunciation rule: とおり (toori) after verbs, but どおり (doori) after certain nouns. This isn’t just grammar – it’s about sounding natural.

Correct: 時間どおり (jikan doori) – on time Incorrect: 時間とおり (jikan toori)

Overuse in Casual Conversation

While toori is versatile, overusing it can make your speech sound robotic. Balance is key. Mix toori with other expressions like やっぱり (yappari) for “as expected” or similar alternatives.

Practice Exercises to Master Toori

Daily Life Integration

Try incorporating these toori expressions into your daily routine:

1. Morning routine: 計画どおりに起きました (keikaku doori ni okimashita) – “I woke up according to plan”
2. Meal preparation: レシピのとおりです (reshipi no toori desu) – “It’s exactly according to the recipe”
3. Evening reflection: 思った通りでした (omotta toori deshita) – “It was just as I thought”

Conversation Starters

Use these toori-based phrases to engage in natural Japanese conversations:

• その通りですね！何か他にありますか？(Sono toori desu ne! Nanika hoka ni arimasu ka?) – “Exactly! Is there anything else?”

Connecting Toori to Broader Japanese Grammar

Understanding toori becomes even more powerful when you connect it to other Japanese grammar concepts. If you’re building your foundation, consider exploring our comprehensive JLPT N5 Study Guide which covers essential particles and grammar patterns that work beautifully with toori expressions.

The て form we discussed in previous posts combines naturally with toori for complex sentence structures, while mastering conditional forms will help you create sophisticated “if-then” statements using toori patterns.

Your Next Steps with Toori

Mastering toori isn’t just about memorizing patterns – it’s about developing an intuitive feel for when and how to use this expression naturally. Start by focusing on one pattern per week, incorporating it into your daily Japanese practice until it becomes second nature.

Remember, language learning is like building muscle memory. The more you practice these toori expressions in real conversations, the more naturally they’ll flow from your lips when you need them most.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Toori

Q: What does toori mean in Japanese? A: Toori means “exactly,” “just like that,” or “according to” in Japanese, expressing that something happens precisely as expected or previously stated.

Q: When do I use とおり vs どおり? A: Use とおり (toori) after verbs and の, but use どおり (doori) directly after certain nouns for smoother pronunciation.

Q: Is toori formal or casual? A: Toori works in both formal and casual contexts – it’s the surrounding language that determines the formality level.

Q: Can I use toori with past tense verbs? A: Yes! Examples include 思った通り (omotta toori – “just as I thought”) and 言った通り (itta toori – “just as [someone] said”).

Q: What’s the difference between sono toori and sono mama? A: Sono toori means “exactly right/correct,” while sono mama means “as it is/unchanged.”