通り
In that way, Exactly, Precisely, Just as
Structure
Noun + どおり
Noun + の + とおり
(1) Verb［た］
Explanation
The suffix とおり is used to express that something is done 'in the same way as' or 'according to' something else. The kanji form, 通り, literally translates to 'street' or 'passage', but in this grammatical use, it conveys the idea of following a certain 'way' or standard. It indicates a high degree of similarity between two things.
とおり (or its voiced version, どおり) can be attached to both verbs and nouns. When used with verbs, it can follow either the dictionary form or the past-tense (た) form.
- 先生が言った通り、明日はテストがあります。Just as the teacher said, there's a test tomorrow.
- 兄が教えてくれた通りの道を行ったら、駅に着きました。I followed the route exactly as my brother showed me, and I arrived at the station.
When connecting to a noun, you can use either どおり or のとおり. Note that the unvoiced form, とおり, must always be preceded by the particle の when following a noun.
- 説明書どおりに組み立ててください。Please assemble it according to the instructions.
- この地図の通りに進めば、迷いませんよ。If you go by this map, you won't get lost.
While these two noun patterns are often interchangeable, どおり is generally used more often, particularly in spoken Japanese.Fun Fact
Fixed expressions like 言った通り and その通り are common phrases used to strongly agree with someone. In these contexts, they mean something like 'You're absolutely right,' or 'That's it exactly!'.
- 田中さんの言った通りだ！映画はすごく面白かった。You were right, Tanaka! The movie was just as you said; it was amazing!
- まったくその通りです！もっと早く始めればよかった。That's absolutely correct! We should have started earlier.
Examples
彼の指示どおりに動けば間違いない。
If you move exactly according to his instructions, you can't go wrong.
先生が言った通りに宿題をしました。
I did the homework just as the teacher said.
矢印の通りに進んでください。
Please proceed as indicated by the arrows.
彼の予測どおり、株価は下がった。
Just as he predicted, the stock prices fell.
天気予報の通り、午後から雨が降り出した。
Just as the weather forecast said, it started raining in the afternoon.
見た通りに警察に話した。
I told the police exactly as I saw it.
母のレシピの通りに作れば、誰でもおいしいカレーが作れる。
If you make it exactly according to my mother's recipe, anyone can make delicious curry.
友人の勧めどおりにこの本を買ったが、本当に面白い。
I bought this book just as my friend recommended, and it's really interesting.
人生は思いどおりにならないことばかりだ。
Life is full of things that don't go exactly the way you want.
私の言う通りにすればよかったのに。
You should have done exactly as I said.
医者の言う通りに、毎日薬を飲んでいます。
I'm taking my medicine every day, just as the doctor told me to.
彼の期待どおり、チームは優勝した。
Just as he had hoped, the team won the championship.