Meaning
まま shows that something happens while an earlier state stays unchanged: with shoes on, with the window open, just as it was before.
Formation
- Vた + まま: 開けたまま (left open)
- Vない + まま: 言わないまま (without ever saying)
- Aい + まま: 冷たいまま; Aな + なまま: きれいなまま
- N + のまま: 昔のまま; このまま (as it is now)
When to use it
- Core use
- Leaving things as they are
Example
靴を履いたまま部屋に入らないでください
Please do not enter the room with your shoes on.
Important notes
- Pay attention to the word form before the construction and to the particles around it.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate the pattern word for word; first identify its function in the whole situation.