つもりで
With the intention of doing, Instead of..., Act as if or pretend, Believing that..., Thinking that...
Structure
［な］Adjective + な + つもりで
Noun + の + つもりで
Act as if・pretend・be convinced:
Verb［た］+ つもりで
Explanation
The structure つもりで is formed by pairing the noun つもり, meaning 'intention', with the case marking particle で. Its meaning changes depending on the word it follows. When used after a plain form verb, な-adjective, or noun, it expresses that an action (B) is performed with the specific intention of (A).
As つもり is treated grammatically as a noun, it requires の to connect with other nouns, and な to connect with な-adjectives.
- 今日は勉強するつもりで図書館に来たのに、ずっとスマホをいじってしまった。I came to the library with the intention of studying today, but I just ended up playing on my phone the whole time.
- ちゃんと鍵をかけたつもりで出かけたが、家に帰ったらドアが開いていた。I left the house thinking I had locked the door properly, but when I got home, it was wide open.
- 親切なアドバイスのつもりで話したのに、彼女は怒ってしまった。I only said it as friendly advice, but she ended up getting angry.
However, when つもりで is used with a verb in the past tense, its meaning shifts to 'acting as though (A)', 'with the feeling that (A)', or 'pretending to be (A)'.
- 有名な俳優になったつもりで、サングラスをかけて町を歩いてみた。I tried walking around town wearing sunglasses, pretending I was a famous actor.
- カラオケで、プロの歌手になったつもりで熱唱した。At karaoke, I sang my heart out as if I were a professional singer.
This usage arises from acting with an intention that is different from reality.
Examples
手伝うつもりで言ったのに、かえって迷惑をかけてしまった。
Although I said it with the intention of helping, I ended up causing more trouble.
冗談のつもりで言ったのに、彼女は本気にして怒ってしまった。
I said it with the intention of it being a joke, but she took it seriously and got angry.
プロの歌手になったつもりで、みんなの前で歌ってみてください。
Please try singing in front of everyone, pretending you've become a professional singer.
勉強するつもりで図書館に行ったが、漫画ばかり読んでしまった。
I went to the library with the intention of studying, but I ended up just reading manga.
お金持ちになったつもりで、高級レストランで食事をした。
I ate at a high-class restaurant, acting as if I had become rich.
下書きのつもりで描き始めたのに、気づいたら本格的な絵になっていた。
Even though I started drawing it with the intention of it just being a rough sketch, before I knew it, it had become a full-fledged piece of art.
貯金するつもりでアルバイトを始めたのに、給料はほとんど洋服に使ってしまった。
Although I started a part-time job with the intention of saving money, I ended up spending almost my entire salary on clothes.
早く起きるつもりでアラームをセットしたのに、寝坊してしまった。
Despite setting my alarm with the intention of waking up early, I overslept.
運動するつもりで公園に行ったのに、ベンチでアイスを食べただけだった。
Even though I went to the park with the intention of exercising, I just ended up eating ice cream on a bench.
１時間で終わらせるつもりで掃除を始めたが、結局、一日中かかった。
I started cleaning with the intention of finishing in one hour, but in the end, it took the whole day.
専門家になったつもりで、友達にアドバイスをしてみた。
I tried giving advice to my friend, acting as if I were an expert.
ほんの気持ちのつもりで渡したプレゼントでしたが、とても喜んでもらえました。
I gave the present with the intention of it being just a small token of my appreciation, but they were delighted to receive it.