GRAMMAR
〜ままに
as is
while remaining
Explanation
NOTE
〜ままに means as is or while remaining — an action follows along with something else, unchanged.
気の向くままに歩いた。
I walked as my mood led me.
NOTE
It often means doing something just as you are told or just as a force moves you. It is formal and literary.
言われるままに、書類に署名した。
I signed the document just as I was told.
ままに here means following instructions without resisting.
NOTE
Attach ままに to a verb in dictionary form to show an action done in step with that verb.
STRUCTURE
V辞
ままに心の向くままに旅をした。
Kokoro no muku mama ni tabi o shita.
I traveled as my heart directed.
気の向くままに生きたい。
Ki no muku mama ni ikitai.
I want to live as the mood takes me.
足の向くままに町を歩いた。
Ashi no muku mama ni machi o aruita.
I wandered the town as my feet led me.
風に吹かれるままに葉が舞う。
Kaze ni fukareru mama ni ha ga mau.
The leaves dance just as the wind blows them.
誘われるままに旅に出た。
Sasowareru mama ni tabi ni deta.
I set off on a trip just as I was invited.
Practice exercises
1
気の向くままに歩いた。
I walked as my mood led me.
Answer
ままに
2
言われるままに、署名した。
I signed it just as I was told.
Answer
ままに
3
風に吹かれるままに葉が舞う。
The leaves dance just as the wind blows them.
Answer
ままに
4
思うままに話した。
I spoke as I thought.
Answer
ままに
5
感じたままに絵を描いた。
I drew the picture as I felt.
Answer
ままにまま
6
気の向くままに旅をしたい。
I want to travel as the mood takes me.
Answer
ままに
7
窓を開けたままに外出してしまった。
I went out with the window left open.
Answer
ままにまま
8
昔のままに街並みが残っている。
The townscape remains just as it was in the past.
Answer
ままにまま