Japanese grammar
What does ～まま mean? Japanese grammar N4
～まま means as it is, leaving ~ unchanged; while still ~.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vた + まま Vない + まま N + のまま Aな + なまま |
| Romaji | ~ mama |
| Meaning | as it is, leaving ~ unchanged; while still ~ |
How to use it
A state remains unchanged while another action occurs, often contrary to what would normally be expected.
- まま keeps the state mentioned before unchanged. 靴を履いたまま入る means entering the house while still wearing shoes, without taking them off.
- Vたまま describes a state after an action being maintained; Vないまま describes an action that needs to be done but still hasn't been.
Examples
電気をつけたまま寝てしまいました。
I fell asleep with the light left on.
朝ご飯を食べないまま学校へ行きました。
I went to school without eating breakfast.
Common mistakes
-
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 of "having opened and still left open" uses Vた + まま, not the dictionary form.
Exam tips
- Contexts like forgetting to turn off the light, forgetting to close the door, or still wearing/carrying something usually call for the Vたまま pattern.