When learning Japanese, you’ll often hear the grammar pattern 〜まま, which is usually translated as “as it is,” “leave it as,” or “remain in the same state.” This expression is very common in daily life, and mastering it will make your Japanese sound much more natural.

Let’s explore how it works!

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🌸 What Does 〜まま Mean?

The word まま itself means “state” or “condition.”
When attached to verbs, adjectives, or nouns, it expresses that something remains unchanged or is left as it is.

Think of it as pressing pause — the condition stays exactly the same.

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📝 How to Form 〜まま

You can use it with verbs, nouns, and adjectives.

1. Verb (た-form) + まま → after doing, left that way

• ドアを開あけたまま出でかけました。
  I went out with the door left open.

2. Verb (ない-form) + まま → without doing

• 宿題しゅくだいをしないまま寝ねてしまった。
  I fell asleep without doing my homework.

3. Noun + の + まま → in the same state as [noun]

• 子こどものままでいたい。
  I want to stay as a child.

4. な-adjective + な + まま

• 元気げんきなまま海外かいがいに行いきたい。
  I want to go abroad while still being healthy.

5. い-adjective + まま

• 古ふるいまま使つかっています。
  I’m still using it as old as it is.

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🌟 Common Situations to Use 〜まま

1. Leaving something unchanged
   • テレビをつけたまま寝ねちゃった。
     I fell asleep with the TV on.
2. Doing something without another action
   • 傘かさを持もたないまま出でかけた。
     I went out without taking an umbrella.
3. Remaining in the same state or condition
   • この気持きもちのまま伝つたえたい。
     I want to tell you my feelings just as they are.

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🔑 このまま・そのまま・あのまま

These three set expressions are especially common. They all mean “as it is,” but the nuance depends on distance and perspective (like これ / それ / あれ).

このまま → “like this / as it is now” (close to speaker, current situation)

• このまま頑張がんばれば、合格ごうかくできるよ。
  If you keep going like this, you’ll pass.

そのまま → “like that / as it is” (close to listener or already mentioned)

• ドアはそのままにしておいてください。
  Please leave the door as it is.

あのまま → “like that / as it was” (distant in place, time, or memory)

• 子こどものころ遊あそんだ公園こうえんは、あのままだった。
  The park I used to play in as a child was still the same as it was.

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⚠️ まま vs. ながら

It’s easy to confuse まま with ながら, but they’re different!

• 窓まどを開あけたまま寝ねた。
  I slept with the window left open. ✅ natural
• 窓まどを開あけながら寝ねた。
  I slept while opening the window. ❌ unnatural

👉 まま = unchanged state.
👉 ながら = two actions happening at the same time.

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🎯 Practice Time!

Try writing your own sentences:

1. Use verb + たまま (leave something as it is).
2. Use verb + ないまま (without doing something).
3. Use noun + のまま (as [noun]).
4. Try a sentence with このまま / そのまま / あのまま.

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✅ Conclusion

The grammar 〜まま is a flexible way to express “as it is” in Japanese. Whether you’re talking about leaving the TV on, forgetting your homework, or wanting to keep things the same, まま is the expression you need.

Next time you catch yourself leaving something undone or unchanged, try explaining it in Japanese—with 〜まま!.

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