GRAMMAR
〜れるままに・〜られるままに
do as (one is told)
just like
Explanation
NOTE
〜れるままに・〜られるままに means to do as one is told — acting passively, simply following whatever happens.
彼は言われるままに書類にサインした。
He signed the document just as he was told.
NOTE
The person does not resist or decide for themselves — they act exactly as the situation or another person directs.
風に吹かれるままに歩いた。
I walked just as the wind blew me.
It can also mean *just like* — moving along with a natural force without resistance.
NOTE
It is formal and literary. The form depends on the verb: use 〜れるままに with godan verbs.
NOTE
For 〜れるままに, take a godan verb, change it to its passive form, then add ままに.
STRUCTURE
Vない
れるままに子供は母に叱られるままに謝った。
Kodomo wa haha ni shikarareru mama ni ayamatta.
The child apologized just as he was scolded.
彼女は店員に勧められるままに買った。
Kanojo wa ten'in ni susumerareru mama ni katta.
She bought it just as the clerk recommended.
波に押されるままに船は進んだ。
Nami ni osareru mama ni fune wa susunda.
The boat moved on just as the waves pushed it.
NOTE
For 〜られるままに, take an ichidan verb, change it to its passive form, then add ままに.
STRUCTURE
Vない
られるままに彼は医者に勧められるままに休んだ。
Kare wa isha ni susumerareru mama ni yasunda.
He rested just as the doctor advised.
私は係員に見られるままに立っていた。
Watashi wa kakariin ni mirareru mama ni tatte ita.
I stood there just as the staff watched me.
生徒は先生に褒められるままに笑った。
Seito wa sensei ni homerareru mama ni waratta.
The student smiled just as the teacher praised him.
Practice exercises
1
彼は指示されるままに動いただけだ。
He only moved just as he was instructed.
Answer
指示されるままに
2
若者が流されるままに行動するのは、今に限ったことではない。
It's not limited to now that young people act just as they are swayed.
Answer
流されるままに
3
彼は上司に言われるままに残業した。
He worked overtime just as he was told by his boss.
Answer
言われるままに
4
客は案内されるままに席に着いた。
The guest sat down just as he was guided.
Answer
れるままに
5
彼女は友達に勧められるままに映画を見た。
She watched the movie just as her friend recommended.
Answer
勧められるままに
6
彼は友人に添えられるままに会場へ行った。
He went to the venue just as his friend invited him.
Answer
添えられるままに
7
彼女は母に褒められるままに喜んだ。
She was happy just as her mother praised her.
Answer
られるままに
8
患者は看護師に勧められるままに横になった。
The patient lay down just as the nurse told him.
Answer
勧められるままに
9
彼は指示されるままに行動した。責任感もさることながら。
He acted just as he was instructed, his sense of responsibility notwithstanding.
Answer
指示されるままに
10
枯れ葉は風に吹かれるままに舞い上がった。
The withered leaves danced upwards just as they were blown by the wind.
Answer
吹かれるままに
11
私は衝動に駆られるままに、新しい事業を始めた。
I started a new business just as I was driven by impulse.
Answer
駆られるままに