ままに (As Desired)
As (one likes, feels or pleases), Spur of the moment, Wherever one fancies, Spontaneously, On a whim
Structure
Explanation
In contrast to the ままに that follows passive verbs like れる and られる to mean 'to do as one is instructed', when used with verbs in their standard forms, it expresses the idea of 'doing (A) just as one feels', or 'doing (A) according to a natural impulse'. ままに is formed by the noun まま, meaning 'as is', and the case marking particle に.
ままに is attached to the dictionary form of a verb.
- あまり深く考えずに、あなたが感じるままに答えてください。Don't overthink it; just answer however you feel.
- キャンバスに向かい、筆の進むままに絵を描いた。Facing the canvas, I simply painted wherever the brush took me.
- 周りの目は気にせず、心が求めるままに踊りましょう。Let's stop worrying about what others think and just dance as our hearts desire.
Frequently, this usage of ままに suggests that the subject is allowing an action to unfold naturally, without making a conscious effort to influence the result. For this reason, ままに is typically used with a fairly restricted group of verbs, and it is advisable to stick to combinations you have already encountered.
Some common expressions include 気の向くままに 'as the mood strikes', 思うままに 'just as one thinks', 思いつくままに 'just as it comes to mind', 足の向くままに 'wherever one's feet may lead', 赴くままに 'wherever it may go', 欲するままに 'just as is desired', and 風の吹くままに 'wherever the wind may blow'.
Examples
画家は計画を立てず、筆の赴くままにキャンバスに絵を描いた。
The artist didn't make a plan and just painted on the canvas, letting the brush guide her.
幼い子供は感情の赴くままに泣いたり笑ったりする。
Young children cry and laugh as their emotions dictate.
彼は上司に言われるままに、よく考えもせずにその書類にサインしてしまった。
He signed the document without much thought, just as his boss told him to.
先生：「どうして科学者になりたいのですか？」
生徒：「好奇心の赴くままに、世界の謎を解き明かしたいからです。」
Teacher: 'Why do you want to become a scientist?'
Student: 'Because I want to uncover the world's mysteries, following my curiosity wherever it leads.'
つい口の動くままに余計なことを言ってしまい、後で後悔した。
I ended up saying something I shouldn't have, just letting my mouth run, and regretted it later.
彼は欲望のままに食べたいものを食べ、買いたいものを買う生活を送っている。
He lives a life where he eats what he wants and buys what he wants, driven purely by his desires.
周りの反対を押し切って、心の命じるままに会社を辞めて海外へ旅立った。
Ignoring everyone's objections, I quit my job and left for overseas, following what my heart commanded.
小さなボートは川の流れのままにゆっくりと下っていった。
The small boat drifted slowly downstream, going with the flow of the river.
Ａ：「このケーキ、すごくおいしいね！」
Ｂ：「でしょ？店員さんに勧められるままに頼んでみたんだけど、大正解だったよ。」
A: 'This cake is delicious!'
B: 'I know, right? I ordered it based on the staff's recommendation, and it was the perfect choice.'
夢で見た風景を記憶のままに絵に描き起こしてみた。
I tried to sketch the scenery I saw in my dream, just as I remembered it.
夏休みは何も計画せず、気の向くままに過ごしたい。
I want to spend my summer vacation without any plans, just doing whatever I feel like.
「なるようになるさ」と彼は言い、運命のままに身を委ねることにした。
'What will be, will be,' he said, and decided to entrust himself to fate.