〜まま

まま
noun; particle
as is, unchanged
1. as is, as it is
Indicates something remains in its current state.
そのまま待(ま)っていてください。
Please wait as you are.
ありのままを話(はな)す。
To tell it as it is.
昔(むかし)のままだ。
It's the same as before.
生(なま)のまま食(た)べる。
To eat raw.
思(おも)ったままを言(い)う。
To say what you think.
2. while (in a state)
Indicates doing something while in a particular state.
窓(まど)を開(あ)けたまま寝(ね)た。
I slept with the window open.
靴(くつ)を履(は)いたまま入(はい)らないで。
Don't come in with your shoes on.
立(た)ったまま食(た)べた。
I ate while standing.
電気(でんき)をつけたまま出(で)かけた。
I went out with the lights on.
座(すわ)ったまま話(はな)した。
I spoke while sitting.

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

GRAMMAR 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
  • 生(なま)のまま: raw, uncooked

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

NUANCE:
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).

core
Added 2026.1.9 21:50 · Revised 2026.3.27 8:41
02000/02007_mama