Japanese grammar
What does ～まま mean? Japanese grammar N3
～まま means while remaining in the state of ~; leaving something unchanged.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vた + まま Vない + まま Aい + まま Aな + な + まま Nの + まま |
| Romaji | mama |
| Meaning | while remaining in the state of ~; leaving something unchanged |
Forming it
| Noun | 昔 + の + まま |
|---|---|
| Verb (past) | 窓を開けた + まま |
| i-adjective | 熱い + まま |
| Verb (negative) | 靴を脱がない + まま |
How to use it
Describes a state that is kept unchanged while or before something else happens, often implying it should have changed but didn't.
- 「～まま」 describes a state that is KEPT UNCHANGED while or before something else happens; it often implies that state should have changed.
- With verbs, use the 「た」 form for a state that was created and then kept as is (開けたまま = left open), and the 「ない」 form for a state that was never done and stays that way (座らないまま).
- Different from 「～ながら」 (two deliberate actions happening simultaneously): 「まま」 emphasizes a STATIC state being maintained.
Examples
窓を開けたまま、出かけてしまった。
I went out leaving the window open.
靴をはいたまま、部屋に入らないでください。
Please do not enter the room with your shoes on.
電気をつけたまま寝てしまいました。
I fell asleep with the light left on.
Keep in mind
- Nouns connect with 「の」, な-adjectives connect with 「な」.
- Usually carries the nuance of “left as is” (something unusual or unresolved).
Common mistakes
-
Wrong立つまま、話した。
I spoke while remaining standing.
Correct立ったまま、話した。
A state that was created and then kept as is uses the 「た」 form (立ったまま), not the dictionary form.
-
Wrongテレビをつけたながら、寝てしまった。
I fell asleep with the TV left on.
Correctテレビをつけたまま、寝てしまった。
Keeping a state unchanged (the TV stays on) uses 「まま」; 「ながら」 is used for two deliberate simultaneous actions.
-
Wrong窓を開けるまま出かけました。
Correct窓を開けたまま出かけました。
The state "opened and left open" uses Vた + まま, not the dictionary form.
Exam tips
- An unchanged state → 「まま」 (verb た／ない form); two deliberate simultaneous actions → 「ながら」.