～とおりだ・～とおり（に）・～どおりだ・～どおり（に） — Exactly as | JLPT N3 grammar

Meaning

Use it when an action follows instructions, a model, or a plan, or when a result matches expectations. It does not express mere resemblance; use よう or みたい for 'looks like.'

Formation

Vる／Vた＋とおり（に）・N＋のとおり（に）
N＋どおり（に） without の: 予定どおり, 説明どおり

When to use it

Where to use it: It fits reproducing a method, following a route or instruction, and a result matching a forecast.
Where not to use it: Do not use it when two things merely look similar or when the match is approximate rather than tied to a model.

Examples

20 sentences

説明書せつめいしょに書いてかいてあるとおりに、設定せっていしてください。
Please configure it exactly as written in the manual.
先生せんせいが教えておしえてくれたとおりに、発音はつおんしてみた。
I tried pronouncing it the way the teacher had shown me.
実際じっさいの景色けしきは写真しゃしんで見たみたとおりだった。
The actual scenery was just as I had seen it in the photograph.
計画けいかくどおりに工事こうじが進んですすんでいる。
The construction work is proceeding according to plan.
試験しけんの難しさむずかしさは予想よそうどおりだった。
The difficulty of the exam was just as I had expected.
地図ちずどおりに歩いたらあるいたら、迷わずまよわず駅えきに着いたついた。
By following the map, I reached the station without getting lost.
ロボットは私わたしが教えおしえたとおりに踊っおどった。
The robot danced exactly as I had taught it.
予想よそうどおり、山頂さんちょうから富士山ふじさんが見えみえた。
Just as expected, Mount Fuji was visible from the summit.

12 more examples

地図ちずのとおりに進んすすんだのに、古いふるい橋はしはもうなかった。
We followed the map exactly, but the old bridge was already gone.
レシピどおりに焼いたらやいたら、パンがきれいに膨らんだふくらんだ。
I baked the bread according to the recipe, and it rose nicely.
先生せんせいが書いかいたとおりに漢字かんじを書いかいてください
Please write the kanji just as the teacher wrote it.
説明書せつめいしょのとおりに組み立てくみたてました
I assembled it according to the instructions.
予定よていどおりに電車でんしゃが来きました
The train arrived as scheduled.
私わたしが言ういうとおりに動いうごいてください
Please move as I tell you.
地図ちずのとおりに歩いあるいたら着きつきました
I followed the map and arrived.
思っおもったとおりの味あじでした
It tasted just as I expected.
約束やくそくどおりに本ほんを返しかえしました
I returned the book as promised.
聞いきいたとおりに名前なまえを書きかきました
I wrote the name as I heard it.
この写真しゃしんのとおりに料理りょうりを並べならべてください
Please arrange the dishes as in this photo.
結果けっかは予想よそうどおりでした
The result was as expected.

Important notes

に connects the pattern to an action, の modifies a noun, and だ completes the predicate.

Common mistakes

Do not add の before どおり: 予定どおり is correct, while とおり takes 予定のとおり.
Distinguish Vるとおり 'as someone will/usually does' from Vたとおり 'as someone already did/said.'

Check yourself

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

Sentence 1: 地図ちずのとおりに進んすすんだのに、古いふるい橋はしはもうなかった。 The old library is quiet outside, whereas its interior is filled with colorful paintings.Life in the countryside is quiet, but transportation is inconvenient.We followed the map exactly, but the old bridge was already gone.
Sentence 2: 地図ちずのとおりに歩いあるいたら着きつきました I followed the map and arrived.This job is rewarding, but on the other hand it carries a great deal of responsibility.Whereas the older brother is sociable, the younger brother is quiet.
Sentence 3: 結果けっかは予想よそうどおりでした This medicine works well, but on the other hand it has strong side effects.The result was as expected.Summers in Tokyo are hot and humid, whereas summers in Hokkaido are cool.