〜まま

〜まま indicates that a state continues unchanged, often implying it was left that way or is still in that condition.

Common patterns

• Verb (た form) + まま: while in the state of having done
• 窓(まど)を開(あ)けたまま: with the window left open
• 立(た)ったまま: while standing
• 座(すわ)ったまま: while sitting
• Noun + の + まま: in the state of
• そのまま: as it is, just like that
• 昔(むかし)のまま: same as before
• な-adjective + な + まま / い-adjective + まま
• 静(しず)かなまま: still quiet (no change)
• 熱(あつ)いまま食(た)べる: to eat it while it is still hot
• Note that 生(なま)のまま (raw, uncooked) takes の because 生(なま) is a noun here, not a な-adjective.

Common expressions

• ありのまま: as it truly is (unvarnished truth)
• そのまま: as is, without change
• 思(おも)ったまま: just as one thought

CONTRAST WITH ながら:
Both can translate as "while", but they describe different things. まま attaches to a *state* that stays unchanged, while ながら joins two *actions* happening at the same time: 立(た)ったまま食(た)べる (eat while standing — standing is the posture one stays in) vs. 歩(ある)きながら食(た)べる (eat while walking — two ongoing actions).

Usage

Often implies that the unchanged state is problematic or unusual: 電気(でんき)をつけたまま出(で)かけた (went out leaving the lights on).