思う様に
As one hopes, As desired, As one thought
Structure
Phrase + 思うような + Noun
Explanation
The Japanese expression 思うように is used to describe a situation where the result either aligns with or deviates from one's expectations. This expression can be translated as 'the way one wants', 'as hoped for', or 'as expected'. Grammatically, this phrase is a combination of the う-Verb 思う and ように, the adverbial form of the auxiliary verb ようだ.
A typical structure using this grammar point starts with a phrase (A) that establishes the 'expectation', is followed by 思うように, and then concludes with a phrase (B) that reveals the actual result. It is important to note that if (B) is followed by a noun, 様な will be used instead.
- 日本語の勉強が思うように進まなくて、ちょっと焦っています。My Japanese studies aren't progressing as I'd like, so I'm getting a little impatient.
- ダイエットをしているけど、思うように痩せない。I'm on a diet, but I'm not losing weight as I'd hoped.
- パソコンが古くて、思うように動かない。My computer is old and doesn't work the way I want it to.
Because the (B) part of the sentence contains the information about whether the 'expectation' from (A) was realized, 思うように can be used in both positive and negative contexts. This allows it to show that something either met, fell short of, or even surpassed what was originally anticipated.
Examples
パン生地が思うように膨らまず、がっかりした。
I was disappointed because the bread dough didn't rise the way I wanted it to.
何度撮っても、写真が思うように撮れません。
No matter how many times I try, I can't take photos the way I want to.
計画は完璧だったのに、プロジェクトが思うように進まない。
Even though the plan was perfect, the project isn't progressing as I had hoped.
緊張してしまい、思うようにスピーチができなかった。
I got nervous and wasn't able to give the speech as well as I had hoped.
人生とは自分の思うようになることばかりではない。
Life isn't always about things turning out the way you want them to.
思うように仕事が見つからなくて、少し焦っている。
I'm getting a little anxious because I can't find a job as easily as I'd hoped.
思うように言葉が出てこず、レポートが全然終わらない。
The words just aren't coming to me like I want them to, so I can't finish my report at all.
ダイエットを続けているのに、思うように体重が減らない。
Even though I'm sticking to my diet, I'm not losing weight like I'd hoped I would.
プロのイラストレーターでも、必ずしも思うように線が描けるわけではない。
Even professional illustrators can't necessarily draw lines exactly the way they want to every time.
このギターソロは難しすぎて、思うように弾けなかった。
This guitar solo was too difficult, and I couldn't play it the way I wanted to.
ドローンを思うように操作できるようになるまで、毎日練習するつもりだ。
I plan to practice every day until I can control the drone just the way I want.
引っ越しをしたいけど、なかなか思うような部屋が見つからない。
I want to move, but I just can't seem to find an apartment that's quite what I'm looking for.