〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state"
ta mama
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
A state remains unchanged while another action happens (often something that should have been changed).
〜まま means "as it is" or "leaving something in that state". 電気をつけたまま寝た = I went to sleep with the light on (I left it on and slept). The first part describes a state that stays unchanged; the second part is what happened while it stayed that way. Very often the state is one that should have been changed, so there is a hint of "oops" or "you shouldn't".
Describing careless situations (窓を開けたまま出かけた), rules (靴のまま入ってはいけません), and things left unchanged (そのままにしておいてください). Used in speech and writing at all levels.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
V-た + まま: つけたまま, 開けたまま, 座ったままV-ない + まま: 何も食べないままNoun + のまま: 靴のまま, そのままな-adjective + なまま: きれいなまま; い-adjective + まま: 熱いまま
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Form | What comes first | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 〜たまま | た-form / N の + まま | a state that stays | often careless / should have changed | 電気をつけたまま寝た |
| 〜ながら | ます-stem + ながら | an action in progress | two actions at once | テレビを見ながら寝た |
| 〜ておく | て-form + おく | a deliberate act | on purpose, for later | 電気をつけておいた |
Natural examples
電気をつけたまま寝てしまった。
でんきを つけたまま ねてしまった。
I fell asleep with the light on.
The light stayed on while sleeping: a careless state.
窓を開けたまま出かけないでください。
まどを あけたまま でかけないでください。
Don't go out leaving the window open.
A warning not to leave the window open.
靴のまま部屋に入ってはいけません。
くつのまま へやに はいっては いけません。
You must not enter the room with your shoes on.
Noun + のまま: with shoes still on.
疲れていて、服を着たままソファで寝てしまった。
つかれていて、ふくを きたまま ソファで ねてしまった。
I was tired and fell asleep on the sofa with my clothes still on.
着たまま: the state of being dressed stayed while sleeping; てしまった adds the 'oops'.
エアコンをつけたまま出かけてしまい、電気代が高くなった。
エアコンを つけたまま でかけてしまい、でんきだいが たかく なった。
I went out leaving the air conditioner on, and the electricity bill went up.
つけたまま + 出かける: a typical 'should have changed it' situation.
Similar grammar and the difference
ながら links two actions (見ながら食べる). まま links a state to an action (つけたまま寝る). Compare side by side
ておく is deliberate (leave it on for a reason). たまま is neutral or careless (it just stayed that way). Compare side by side
てある describes a state made on purpose (開けてある). まま describes a state that continued, often by neglect. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 電気をつけるまま寝た。
- ✓
- 電気をつけたまま寝た。
- Why
- まま follows the た-form of the verb because the state has already been created.
- ✗
- 靴まま入らないでください。
- ✓
- 靴のまま入らないでください。
- Why
- A noun needs の before まま.
- ✗
- 音楽を聞いたまま勉強した。
- ✓
- 音楽を聞きながら勉強した。
- Why
- Listening is an action, not a state left unchanged, so ながら is the natural choice.
そのまま (as it is) is a very common adverb: そのまま食べてください (eat it as it is). まま can end a sentence in speech: 「ドア、開けたまま？」 (Did you leave the door open?) 〜ないまま stresses that something that should have been done was not: 何も言わないまま帰った (left without saying anything).
JLPT N4 tips
On the exam
- Cues for まま: a state verb in the た-form (つける, 開ける, 着る, 座る, 立つ) followed by an action, often with てしまった or a warning.
- If both parts are actions done at the same time, the answer is ながら, not まま. If the first part is a noun, choose のまま.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state" mean?
A state remains unchanged while another action happens (often something that should have been changed). 〜まま means "as it is" or "leaving something in that state". 電気をつけたまま寝た = I went to sleep with the light on (I left it on and slept). The first part describes a state that stays unchanged; the second part is what happened while it stayed that way. Very often the state is one that should have been changed, so there is a hint of "oops" or "you shouldn't".
How do you form 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state"?
V-た + まま: つけたまま, 開けたまま, 座ったまま / V-ない + まま: 何も食べないまま / Noun + のまま: 靴のまま, そのまま / な-adjective + なまま: きれいなまま; い-adjective + まま: 熱いまま. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state" used?
Describing careless situations (窓を開けたまま出かけた), rules (靴のまま入ってはいけません), and things left unchanged (そのままにしておいてください). Used in speech and writing at all levels.
What is the difference between 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state" and 〜ながら?
ながら links two actions (見ながら食べる). まま links a state to an action (つけたまま寝る).
What is the difference between 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state" and 〜ておく?
ておく is deliberate (leave it on for a reason). たまま is neutral or careless (it just stayed that way).
What is a common mistake with 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state"?
Wrong: 電気をつけるまま寝た。 Right: 電気をつけたまま寝た。 まま follows the た-form of the verb because the state has already been created.
Quick check
窓を（ ）まま寝たので、風邪をひいてしまった。