Processing keyword: ～まま (〜mama)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～まま (〜mama)

1. Introduction

The grammar point ～まま (〜mama) is used in Japanese to express the idea of something remaining in an unchanged state or being left "as is." It indicates that the state or condition persists without alteration. This expression is versatile and commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese.

---

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

～まま means:

• "As it is"
• "Unchanged"
• "Remaining in a certain state"
• "Left as" It describes a situation where an action or state continues without change or where something is left in the same condition.

Structure

The structure of ～まま varies depending on the part of speech it attaches to:

Formation Diagram

Part of Speech	Formation
Verb (Past Tense)	[Verbた] + まま
Verb (Negative Form)	[Verbない] + まま
Noun	[Noun] + の + まま
い-adjective	[Adj] + まま
な-adjective	[Adj] + な + まま

Examples

1. Verb (Past Tense):
   • 食べたまま (tabe-ta mama): having eaten, and remaining in that state
2. Verb (Negative Form):
   • 食べないまま (tabe-nai mama): without eating, and remaining in that state
3. Noun:
   • 子供のまま (kodomo no mama): remaining a child
4. い-adjective:
   • 暑いまま (atsui mama): remaining hot
5. な-adjective:
   • 静かなまま (shizuka na mama): remaining quiet

Usage Notes

• When using verbs, the past tense form is often used before まま to indicate that the action occurred and its resulting state persists.
• Negative forms of verbs can be used to express that an action has not been taken, and that state continues.
• With nouns, add の before まま.
• For な-adjectives, use な before まま.
• まま can be followed by particles like で, に, だ, etc., depending on the sentence.

---

3. Comparative Analysis

Comparing ～まま with Similar Grammar Points

～たまま vs. ～ながら

• ～たまま (using the past tense verb):
  • Emphasizes that an action was completed, and its resulting state remains unchanged.
  • Example: 靴を履いたまま寝た。(I slept with my shoes on.)
• ～ながら:
  • Indicates two actions happening simultaneously.
  • Example: 音楽を聴きながら勉強する。(I study while listening to music.) Key Difference: ～まま focuses on the state resulting from an action, while ～ながら describes concurrent actions.

---

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

1. テレビをつけたまま外出した。
   • Terebi o tsuketa mama gaishutsu shita.
   • I went out leaving the TV on.
2. 眼鏡をかけたまま泳いだ。
   • Megane o kaketa mama oyoida.
   • I swam with my glasses on.
3. 靴のまま部屋に入らないでください。
   • Kutsu no mama heya ni hairanaide kudasai.
   • Please don't enter the room with your shoes on.
4. 彼は昔のままだ。
   • Kare wa mukashi no mama da.
   • He is the same as before.
5. ドアが開けっぱなしにされていた。
   • Doa ga akeppanashi ni sarete ita.
   • The door was left open.
   • Note: 開けっぱなし (akeppanashi) is similar but often carries a nuance of negligence.

Formal and Informal Usage

• Formal:
  • 報告書を未提出のままにしてはいけません。
    • Hōkokusho o miteishutsu no mama ni shite wa ikemasen.
    • You must not leave the report unsubmitted.
• Informal:
  • 靴履いたままでいいよ。
    • Kutsu haita mama de ii yo.
    • It's okay to keep your shoes on.

---

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• Removing Shoes Indoors:
  • In Japan, it is customary to remove shoes before entering a home or certain establishments.
  • Saying 靴のまま入らないで emphasizes adherence to this cultural norm.

Levels of Politeness and Formality

• The use of ～まま remains consistent across different politeness levels.
• Adjust the surrounding language to match the desired level of formality.

Idiomatic Expressions

• そのまま: Just like that; as is
  • Example: そのままで大丈夫です。
    • Sono mama de daijōbu desu.
    • It's okay as it is.
• ありのまま: As it is; the truth
  • Example: ありのままを話してください。
    • Ari no mama o hanashite kudasai.
    • Please tell me the truth.

---

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Incorrect Verb Form Usage:
   • Mistake: 食べますまま
     • Using the polite form 食べます before まま.
   • Correction: 食べたまま
     • Use the plain past tense 食べた.
2. Omitting の with Nouns:
   • Mistake: 学生まま卒業した。
   • Correction: 学生のまま卒業した。
     • Include の after the noun 学生.
3. Confusing with ～ながら:
   • Mistake: Using ながら when the state persists.
   • Tip: Use まま for states remaining unchanged, and ながら for simultaneous actions.

Learning Strategies

• Remember the Forms:
  • Verbs: Plain Past + まま
  • Nouns: Noun + の + まま
  • い-adjectives: Adjective + まま
  • な-adjectives: Adjective + な + まま
• Associations:
  • Think of まま as "Mama leaves things as they are."
• Practice with Common Phrases:
  • そのまま is a set phrase meaning "as it is." Use it to get comfortable with まま.

---

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～まま is used to indicate that a state remains unchanged.
• Attach まま to the appropriate form based on the part of speech.
• Be mindful of common mistakes, especially with verb forms and noun connections.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Fill in the Blank:
   • 子供____ままでいたい。
   • Answer: の
     • 子供のままでいたい。(I want to stay as a child.)
2. Correct the Sentence:
   • 静かまま待ってください。
   • Answer:
     • 静かなまま待ってください。(Please wait quietly.)
3. Translate to Japanese:
   • "I left the window open."
   • Answer:
     • 窓を開けたままにした。

---

By understanding and practicing the use of ～まま, you can express states of unchanging conditions more naturally in Japanese. Remember to pay attention to the forms and context to use this grammar point correctly.

---

© Hanabira.org