N25/217

つもりで

Vる/ Vない/Vている + つもりでVるつもりでNのつもりで

Meanings

  • With the intention of doing
  • Instead of...
  • Act as if or pretend
  • Believing that...
  • Thinking that...

About this pattern

Explanation

つもりで marks that the speaker believes or intends something to be true, or acts as if that belief or plan were true. It describes the speaker’s intention, plan, or assumption and is often used to explain actions taken under that assumed intention. The nuance can imply contrast with the actual outcome or reality, or hedge that the belief may not be correct.

Learn in context

Example sentences

明日も早く起きるつもりで、早めに寝た。

I went to bed early, intending to wake up early again tomorrow.

財布を忘れたつもりで買い物をしてしまい、結局現金を使った。

I did my shopping as if I had forgotten my wallet and ended up using cash.

彼は私に電話してこないつもりで来たのだろう。

He probably came assuming I wouldn’t call him.

本館の資料を見つつ、実務に使えるように勉強したつもりでいる。

I act as if I’ve studied so I can use the material in practice.

今日は休日だから、仕事はしないつもりで家にいます。

Since it's a holiday, I'm staying home with the plan not to work.

彼は私の気持ちは理解したつもりでいたが、実際には違っていた。

He thought he understood how I felt, but he was wrong.