ままに (As Is)
As is, While remaining, Left in a state
Structure
［い］Adjective + まま
［な］Adjective + な + まま
Noun + の + まま
(1) Verb［ない］
Explanation
The word まま, which originates from the kanji 儘 ('as is'), is a Japanese noun used to express that a certain condition or state has not changed. It is often translated as 'just as it is', 'leaving something as is', or 'in the state of'. It can be attached to any word that is in a form that can modify a noun (attributive form). However, when following a verb, it is most commonly used with the past-tense た form.
- 窓を開けたまま寝てしまった。I fell asleep with the window still open.
- 熱いままのお茶を飲んだら、口をやけどした。I burned my mouth drinking the tea while it was still hot.
- 彼は静かなまま、ずっと外を見ていた。He just stayed quiet, gazing outside the whole time.
- この町は昔のまま、あまり変わっていませんね。This town hasn't changed much; it's just as it was in the old days, isn't it?
A common function of まま is to convey that an action was performed without altering a prior condition. This usage is frequently observed when まま follows a verb in its negative ない form.
- 彼は何も言わないまま、部屋を出て行った。He left the room without saying a single word.
- 宿題をしないまま学校へ行ったら、先生に叱られた。I got scolded by the teacher for going to school without having done my homework.
Caution
While まま can be followed by the case marking particle に, it is frequently omitted in practice. When に is included, it adds a degree of emphasis to the verb that comes after it.
- ドアは開けたままにしておいてください。Please leave the door open.
- ついテレビをつけたままにして寝てしまう。I have a bad habit of falling asleep with the TV on.
Fun Fact
In casual conversation, まま is sometimes pronounced as まんま. This is a colloquial variation that you will mainly encounter in informal speech or writing that imitates it.
- パジャマのまんまでコンビニに行くのは、ちょっと恥ずかしい。It's a little embarrassing to go to the convenience store still in my pajamas.
Examples
靴を履いたまま家に入ってはいけません。
You must not enter the house with your shoes still on.
電気をつけたまま寝てしまった。
I fell asleep with the lights left on.
彼は目を閉じたまま、何も言わなかった。
He kept his eyes closed and didn't say anything.
この料理はソースをかけずに、そのまま食べてください。
Please eat this dish as is, without adding any sauce.
この魚は新鮮なので、生のままでも食べられます。
This fish is so fresh you can even eat it raw.
眼鏡をかけたまま寝ると、壊れるかもしれないよ。
If you sleep while still wearing your glasses, you might break them.
髪が濡れたまま外に出ると、かぜをひくよ。
You'll catch a cold if you go outside with your hair still wet.
食べ物をテーブルの上に出したままにしないでください。悪くなりますよ。
Please don't leave the food out on the table. It will go bad.
すべて計画のままに進んでいます。
Everything is proceeding according to plan.
この町は私が子供だった頃と変わらず、昔のままだ。
This town is unchanged from when I was a child; it's just like it was back then.
傘をレストランに置いたままにしてしまった。
I accidentally left my umbrella behind in the restaurant.
彼はソファに寝転んだまま、一日中テレビを見ていた。
He watched TV all day while lying on the sofa.